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Video: Brantford Residents Tap Hockey Sticks to Honor Wayne Gretzky's Dad Walter

Blake SchusterSenior Analyst IIMarch 7, 2021

Walter Gretzky, father of Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky, yells encouragement from the stands at the start of the  Salt Lake City Winter Olympics hockey game between Canada and Germany in Provo, Utah, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)
HANS DERYK/Associated Press

Residents of Brantford, Ontario, took to the streets en masse on Saturday to pay their respects to Walter Gretzky with a perfectly fitting tribute to the father of Wayne Gretzky

The Gretzky family announced the death of Walter, 82, on Thursday from complications due to Parkinson's disease and other health issues. He was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday. As the hearse drove through Brantford, fans lined the street with hockey sticks and delivered a stick tap in honor of one of the sport's most notable fathers. 

CityNews Toronto @CityNews

Brantford residents pay tribute to Walter Gretzky by tapping their hockey sticks on the ground as the funeral procession made its way from the church https://t.co/tqrK6sxAFS

Walter was known as much for raising The Great One as he was for his philanthropic efforts in Canada, which resulted in him being named to the Order of Canada in 2007—one of the country's highest civilian honors. 

Wayne Gretzky @WayneGretzky

https://t.co/WoOI3Zlm6M

The town of Brantford was able to say its thanks one final time.