PHOTO: Bildbyrån
During Thursday evening, the news came that Börje Salming had died after suffering from the disease ALS.
His brother Stig Salming was – along with the rest of the family – by his side when he fell asleep.
– It is so heartwarming and nice with all the tributes. It is not possible to get more accolades than what Börje has received, says Stig Salming to Aftonbladet.
Börje Salming fell asleep on Thursday morning – surrounded by his family. The brother Stig Salming had previously planned to go from his home in Gävle to Stockholm to attend a Christmas dinner and at the same time visit Börje during the afternoon.
Brother’s grief
But already in the morning, Börje’s wife called Pia Salming and told that it was in a hurry. Stig arrived in Stockholm at 11 o’clock.
– I got there by 11 o’clock and 45 minutes later he took his last breath, Stig tells Aftonbladet.
– I tried to speak but I don’t know if he heard. I tried to say a few well-chosen words of course and hoped he could take them in, he says.
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When Stig Salming left Stockholm after the Tidernas Hockey Gala – where Börje received several fine awards – the doctors had already announced the grim news.
– “No longer than three weeks” was what they said when I left there last Saturday. Now it came within a week. Things have gone downhill fast since he came home from Toronto. Yes, what can you say? It’s heavy and damn empty. But we had to say goodbye in a nice way. Despite all the misery, we got it anyway.
“The loss will not diminish”
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During the last few weeks, Börje Salming has, as you know, received accolades in Canada as well as at home in Sweden, something that he himself wanted.
– Number one, it was Börje’s own will to get away. He has done exactly what he wanted to do and it is great to be able to do it in the nice way. It is so heartwarming and beautiful with all the tributes. It is not possible to get more accolades than what Börje has received, says Stig Salming.
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Despite the fine tributes, Börje will be missed no less.
– I can’t say that. For Börje’s sake, I think it’s great how they’ve dealt with him, but it doesn’t help me as a person. Missing Börje will certainly not diminish. But he’s the same little brother that I really miss.
READ MORE: This is how the whole of Swedish hockey should pay tribute to Börja Salming in the best way – the leagues come together in a unique gesture to honor the icon