aka Bob Probert
Born June 5, 1965 Windsor, ON. Died July 5, 2010 Windsor ON
“He was tough guy who played smart hockey.”
“The long-time Detroit Red Wing – who happens to have been the last player to have scored a goal at Maple Leaf Gardens — collapsed on his boat on Monday afternoon on Lake St. Clair and was declared dead at hospital, a family spokesperson confirmed.
Probert was on his boat in Lake St. Clair on Monday afternoon when he collapsed. A call was made around 3 p.m., according to Probert’s agent Pat Ducharme. Fire and EMS crews met the boat and began performing CPR on Probert. By the time they reached Windsor Regional Hospital, Probert was absent of vital signs.
In a brief statement, a family spokesman said that Probert was on the boat with his family, including his four children and in-laws, when he began experiencing serious chest pains.
Vancouver Sun
July 9 2010
WINDSOR, Ont. — The casket of former NHL tough guy Bob Probert was taken to the cemetery today on the sidecar of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, following about 60 other thundering hogs.
The procession of mourners and motorcycles — half a dozen of which belonged to Probert — was led by a piper from Windsor Christian Fellowship through an honour guard of NHL players and officials.
Hockey legend Steve Yzerman and two of Probert’s young daughters were among those who spoke at his funeral.
Other notable attendees included Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, retired Red Wings Darren McCarty and Mickey Redmond, among others.
Fans were expected to line the procession route for Probert, the former National Hockey League enforcer who died suddenly on Monday while boating on Ontario’s Lake St. Clair.
By 9:30 a.m., the parking lot was already overflowing at the church. Many attendees, including children, were seen wearing hockey jerseys. Dozens of media trucks were camped outside the church.
Probert’s death triggered an outpouring of support for his family and tributes for the hockey player whose struggles with alcohol and drugs cast a shadow over his career.
The 45-year-old — a former all-star who played 935 NHL games — ranks fifth all time in penalty minutes with 3,300 to go along with his 163 goals and 221 assists.
He leaves behind his wife Dani and four young children: Brogan, Tierney, and twins Jack and Declyn
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