A Priest from Timmins in the NHL?

I wrote this poem as a tribute to Timmins native, Father Les Costello. He was a great NHL hockey star, the likes of Bill Barilko and Frank and Pete Mahovlich,

THE FLYING FATHER

His name was Les but he gave more

Than all the hockey greats who scored.

When it came down to charity and giving,

Father Les would handle well the chore.

Les helped to form the “Flying Fathers”

Where crowds filled up the rafters.

The name “Costello” would light the light

When he scored each goal with laughter.

Les died when doing what he loved so.

I know he’s smiling still from up above

When north folks talk of who gave more.

Rest assured, it’s Les they’re talking of.

Excerpt from Hard Knock Graduate, Gate Lepine’s autobiography. Gate is an 87 year old songwriter, author, painter, guitar player, a renaissance man. In 1964, he befriended a hungry and down and out hobo named Tom Connors. Years later, “Stompin’ Tom” was born and with Gate by his side, a lifelong friendship and songwriting partnership followed.

I wrote this poem in tribute to Father Les Costello who was from the Porcupine area in Timmins, Ontario. Les Costello was a great NHL hockey star the likes of Bill Barilko and Frank and Pete Mahovlich who were all from Timmins as well. Les Costello left the Toronto Maple Leafs to enter the priesthood in the 1950’s. The legend he became as a hockey star only reached that lofty status after he became a priest.

I actually knew this man well and I even worked with him before he became a priest, shortly after he left the NHL to make his studies. He worked at the Aunor Gold mine on the surface where I was working at the time. His locker at the mine site was two lockers away from mine. I can still hear him joking as he always did and singing all sorts of funny, little songs at the top of his lungs.

If Father Les was preaching on a Sunday afternoon, after he was ordained, I would attend just to see him. He always had a few great jokes in the pulpit when he gave his sermons.

Timmins should erect a statue in honour of this great human being, if they haven’t already done so.

Father Costello helped so many poor people in his day. On the streets of Timmins, I would spot him here and there with his old truck, picking up beds, chairs, tables clothes, whatever he could gather to help the needy. He was always giving, aside from giving us a thrill on the ice when he played for his famous “Flying Fathers”.

The North owes a lot to Father Les. I, for one, will not forget.