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Father
Costello has been there for my family many times over the years. Whether it was to find my grandmother a second-hand fridge; marry my parents; give our family funeral services – including our beloved Mom and Dad; or just plain joining in on a good joke. He's always quick to smile and share his
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For the 25th anniversary of
Costello's ordination in 1982, friends and parishioners took up a collection to buy Costello a truck for use in his charity work. Instead, Costello sold the vehicle and used the money to buy furniture and food for needy families.
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in 2002, Costello had a puck get stuck in his skates, making him fall backward and hit his head on the ice. Still feeling unwell the following day, he was admitted to hospital, where he slipped into a coma and died a week later on
December 10.
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to
Hollywood to audition for the role of Costello, but the film fell apart when Gretzky's acting ability proved unable to carry a film. (However, it was on that trip that Gretzky first met his future wife,
419:, Ontario is named for Father Costello. Costello was posthumously inducted into the Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame in 2014, and a 36-inch bronze statue was erected there in his honour in April 2024.
307:, he took a parish in his hometown of Timmins, where he was widely respected for both his flamboyant, fun-loving demeanor and his tireless commitment to social justice and charity work.
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hockey. Originally intended as a one-time charity event, the
Fathers became a phenomenon, regularly touring North America to raise money for charity, and were still active as of 2005.
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zest for life. The goodness of God is with this very special man and he shares that spirit with everyone around him. We all love him.
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In 1979, Costello got lost for over 24 hours on a camping trip and subsequently had several toes amputated due to
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As his parish was unable to accommodate the crowds expected for his funeral, the service was held in
Timmins'
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was also launched in
Costello's memory the same year. As well, a major street in the city's
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neighbourhood was renamed Father
Costello Drive. The hockey arena in the town of
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twice with the team in 1945 and 1947. He subsequently played two years in the
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Les
Costello profile at the Catholic Educator's Resource Center
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Picture of Les
Costello's Name on the 1948 Stanley Cup Plaque
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Costello retired from professional hockey in 1950 to pursue
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1158:"'Praying And Playing': The Story Of The Flying Fathers"
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In 1963, Costello and colleague Brian McKee founded the
246:(February 16, 1928 – December 10, 2002) was a Canadian
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Biographical information and career statistics from
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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353:offered the Fathers a movie option. He brought
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16:Canadian ice hockey player and Catholic priest
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109:Learn how and when to remove this message
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288:was also a professional hockey player.
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1312:"Schumacher's saint: Fr. Les Costello"
332:The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
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405:Les Costello: Canada's Flying Father
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349:As a result of the media coverage,
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1156:Given, Karen (February 14, 2020).
303:in 1957. After serving briefly in
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190:5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
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553:Toronto St. Michael's Majors
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374:At a Flying Fathers game in
250:player and Catholic priest.
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1383:Toronto Maple Leafs players
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244:Leslie John Thomas Costello
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271:National Hockey League
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1183:"Father Les Costello"
1129:"Father Les Costello"
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1314:by Charlie Angus in
1291:Hockey-Reference.com
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351:Francis Ford Coppola
263:St. Michael's Majors
43:improve this article
1137:. December 19, 2002
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171:(2002-12-10)
129:Les Costello
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41:Please help
36:verification
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1348:2002 deaths
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360:Janet Jones
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1106:References
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152:1928-02-16
99:March 2018
69:newspapers
1259:cite news
1249:April 27,
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1197:March 22,
1167:March 23,
328:frostbite
207:Left wing
1303:Archived
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504:1943–44
447:Playoffs
301:ordained
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203:Position
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