Gordie Howe, a member of Detroit's Holy Trinity of Supreme Athletes -- along with Joe Louis and Ty Cobb -- is slowing down, still mourning the loss of his wife, Colleen, and living for stretches of time with his four children, according to Dan Robson in a story published last month on the Canada-based Sportsnet.ca.
Howe, who will be 86 March 31, suffers from the early stages of dementia. He is strong physically, and remains a star wherever he goes, even in a room full of jaded sportswriters.
"Even veteran sports scribes were in awe," Robson writes about Howe's appearance at the Hockey Hall of Fame in December, when son Mark, keft, with Gordie, was introduced as one of the new inductees. “Gordie Howe,” whispered one, sitting in the fourth row. “There’s Gordie Howe,” nudged another, somewhere in the back. They glowed like giddy schoolboys."
Robson writes that the Howe family story has become a legend, especially in Canada.
"It’s about a family, a famous name—forged by a boy from Saskatoon who became the greatest hockey player in history. And by the woman who made sure it happened. On the happiest of days, the Howes talked a lot about who wasn’t there. It has been nearly three years since Colleen Howe died. “It would have been really great if she had been here,” said Marty. “She was the one behind everything.” Mark echoed his brother:
“My mother,” he said. “I will never, ever lose my mother.” And Cathy looked over at her dad, who was throwing mock elbows at the mob of reporters. “He’s been devastated,” she said. “It’s been a long road for him.”
It’s one that has taken him on a relentless journey across the continent, living in the care of his scattered family while regularly meeting with fans who still adore him. But between the autographs and handshakes, Mr. Hockey, showing the early signs of dementia, knows that the final period is slipping slowly away. And despite the beating he endured on the ice, these are the toughest days, because he faces them without her.
