Dogma director Kevin Smith drops by the legendary house on Varadi Ave for a tour around the greatest collection of hockey memorabilia this side of the Hall of Fame.
Walter invited me to his house in 88 and allowed me to bring my 2 nephews. I became friends with him after he fixed my Pizza Restaurants Phone . Bell Canada sent 3 different techs to find the problem. None of them could figure it out . After I threatened a law suit they said they will send there best trouble shooter. I had forgotten they were sending someone when I noticed someone hanging around the back and found out it was the TECH from Bell Canada. Anyway to make a long story short it was Walter Gretzky .We became friends after that and kept in touch . A month later I had a tragedy in my family my younger sister had just passed away in a car accident .and left an 11 year old boy grief stricken by losing his mother. He asked if the boy liked Hockey and if he knew who Wayne Was and then invited him to his home .That show of kindness to an 11 year old boy ,helped him in so many ways it's amazing the impact it had on him growing up. All I can say is thank you Walter Gretzky and GOD BLESS YOU
My former fiancé was one of the doctors that saved his life in 91. Her pager going off when we were out at dinner at The Trocadero in Hamilton and didn’t see her for 3 days. Years later, he adored my Son when he was playing in Tournaments in Brantford. We got Great pics of a Great man with my Son whom was my Sons Hero at the time. I met Wayne at Mountain Arena in Hamilton. He was playing for the Soo. After the game as we sat behind the bench my Dad finagled the meeting during the game at the bench. He was 15 at the time and sure glad I met them both.
Walter passed away last night and this is the first thing that came to mind being Canadian and a Kevin Smith fan so I came back to pay my respects to a great father and a greater person.
I have lots of family from Paris and Brantford and they all say the same thing. I guess my dad knew him and Phylis growing up and going to PDHS and from the sounds of it they've always been good people
This man was the ultimate hockey fan who just happened to be Wayne Gretzky's dad. I personally feel so fortunate that I was able to watch Wayne's career play out beginning to end. What a time that was! And Mr. Gretzky appeared to feel the same way. Godspeed Mr. Gretzky.
Worth more money then anything and never changed a thing in that house what a great man and very humble great family I’m proud To be from Brantford god bless Wally.
My father was a freind of walter gretzky and i once went round to their family house back in the eighties and wayne was already in the nhl and i got a chance to meet him while he was playing for the edmonton oilers and i now play in orangeville but wayne himself along with his family are truly amazing people
In college some friends and I went and knocked on Walters door. The awesome guy invited us inside and he took the time and talked hockey with us for 45 mins. Sent us away with some memorabilia. Will always remember this day for the rest of my life! Great man!
Kevin Smith and Walter Gretzky, it doesn't get much better than that. Watching both Walter and Wayne on tv when I was growing up in Edmonton made me feel as though they were part of my family. RIP Walter. Condolences to the Gretzky family and those affected by the passing of Walter.
Very nice man. Good natured, polite, funny, modest, a true Canadian. I would love to visit that basement and just spend a few minutes with Mr Gretzky (senior). I think the great one owes a lot to his dad ;)
Crazy, my old hockey coach told me Gretzky gave him the stick he used after becoming the all time leading scorer. Coach played on team Canada and a couple games for the Canucks (think he got to know Gretzky when he was on team Canada). This video gives that story crazy context.
I would be in heaven. I only wish I had half of that Gretzky collection. As a kid i collected 2 players. ROY #33 & GRETZKY #99. Then I got to watch my 2 favourite players play each other in the cup finals. Lucky my favorite player won. But Wayne still played amazing.
What is so remarkable is that Walter let anyone into that basement that asked. I know so many people that Walter invited back when families would visit for local tournies. One of my buddies boys was in a tournie in Brantford and they met Walter downtown and he invited the family back to the basement. His son was one of the better players on the team so the coach was upset because he just made it back to the barn in time for the next game and I am sure my buddy was thinking your lucky we even came back. Walter was just a remarkable man and a pretty awesome Dad.
hi. I'm Kevin Smith from , woke up under a bridge . com. I am uneducated and sarcastic, always a great combination, and i am at Wally's house being a smartass as he humours me. ... Where is marty Mcsorley when you really need him.
