‘Flying Father’ founder honoured in Timmins
Father Les Costello, the late Catholic priest who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a teammate of Bill Barilko, was honoured Wednesday with a statue in his hometown of Timmins.
The statue was unveiled in the Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame, replacing one that was broken last year.
Costello was also a co-founder of the ‘Flying Fathers’ hockey team, which was a way to raise money for charity. He played with that team until his death at the age of 74 in 2002 after sustaining a head injury during a game.
Costello and the team had raised more than $4 million in 40 years for many groups, such as the Dare Program and local minor hockey.
Costello’s nephew and niece said Wednesday he wasn’t one for fanfare, but they are pleased his legacy is being honoured.
“He was very giving,” said Corinne Costello, his niece.
“Everything he did, he did in caring,” added his nephew, John Costello.
“He gave to the community. He gave to all the people in the community, and it was very important to him.”
Ed Pupich from the Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame said they have some items in their collection.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“We have a flying father's sweater, I think we have his skates and so on,” Pupich said.
“We have the pontoon for the Bill Barilko. So it'll be a display under lock and key, we hope.
Officials said the statue and other historic items will be on a pedestal in the McIntyre Community Centre’s main entrance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
These are the recalls in Canada this week
Health Canada recalled various items this week, including more unauthorized products, counterfeit drugs and bassinets.
Biden speaks after Donald Trump's conviction in hush money case
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.