Members of the Gretzky family gathered at Brantford city hall Friday morning for a tribute to Canada’s favorite hockey dad on the first anniversary of his passing.
A bronze bust of Walter Gretzky, created by Paris artist Robert Dey and commissioned by Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, was unveiled outside of the entrance to the council chambers.
“There’s something about a bust that a portrait doesn’t do,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “It’s three-dimensional. It really does capture the true spirit of Walter.”
Davis said that the city wasn’t able to officially recognize what Gretzky meant to the community due to pandemic restrictions at the time of his death on March 4, 2021.
“He was without a doubt the most outstanding ambassador this city has ever had.”
Dey created a clay sculpture of Gretzky during a pandemic lockdown in 2020. He made a submission to Glenhyrst that had issued a call for artists to produce a portrait that would hang in the lobby of Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course in Brantford.
Gallery director Ana Olson told Dey his sculpture didn’t meet the criteria but added: “We like your piece. Maybe we can do something else.”
Early in 2021, Glenhyrst launched a public fundraising campaign to raise $15,000 so that Dey’s sculpture could be turned into a bronze bust to be gifted to the city.
“Today was the right day to do this,” Olson said following the unveiling.
“We are thrilled with the piece.”
Walter Gretzky has a city park, elementary school and a municipal golf course named after him. There is also a statue of him, along with his wife, Phyllis, and a young Wayne Gretzky, in front of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center in Brantford.
“Every time I go by one of those places where he’s commemorated, I get a good, warm feeling,” said city Coun. John Sless. “I’m sure Walter is looking down and watching this, and I’m sure he’d be saying something like, ‘Geez, can you believe this?’”
Among those taking part in the unveiling were three of Walter and Phyllis’s five children.
Glen Gretzky praised Glenhyrst, the artist, city officials and everyone who contributed to the project, calling it a “fantastic job.”
“It’s a very special, emotional day today,” he said. “We know our dad would be very touched and very humbled by this.”
Kim Gretzky called the effort to create the bust a beautiful gesture.
“He did a wonderful job on the sculpture,” she said of Dey. “It’s a wonderful way to honor my dad.”
Brent Gretzky described the bust of his father as “amazing” and credited Dey with creating “a beautiful likeness of my dad.”
He called Walter his hero.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” said Brent, a police officer with Brant OPP. “I talk to my dad every day now. I know he’s with us and at work with me, keeping me safe and looking after all the kids.”
