Walter Gretzky, father of Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, has passed away at the age of 82.
Wayne and his wife Janet Jones Gretzky confirmed his death just before midnight on Thursday. Walter Gretzky had battled Parkinson's disease for many years and had "other health issues," according to his son.
The famous hockey father has been credited by Wayne for inspiring his love for the sport by spending many years playing and coaching hockey with his family. He chronicled his life in two books titled Gretzky: From Backyard Rink to the Stanley Cup, and On Family, Hockey and Healing.
Gretzky is predeceased by his wife Phyllis, whom he married in 1960. They had five children.
The Toronto Maple Leafs expressed condolences to the Gretzky family over social media. The team wrote that Walter was a "warm and gracious fixture" at Maple Leafs home games for years and that he made everyone he met feel special.
https://twitter.com/WayneGretzky/status/1367693683416571904