Gus BODNAR

BODNAR, Gus
Peacefully, on Friday, July 1, 2005, at Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, with his family at his side, Gus Bodnar, beloved husband of Etta, and loving father of Bonnie and husband Paul, Greg and wife Jayne, Carolyn and husband Peter, Andrea and husband John, and Cheryl and husband Brian.
Affectionately known at 'Grandpa Gus' to Melissa, Meaghan, Jay, Calli, Teagan, Ryan, Eric, Alexandra and Lara. Predeceased by his parents Peter and Sophie Bodnarchuk, his brothers Ed, Oryst, Nestor and sister Stella.
Born in Fort William, Ontario in 1923. With an NHL career that lasted nearly 700 games playing for Toronto, Chicago and Boston and a winning coaching career that followed, Gus distinguished himself as an ambassador of hockey. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1943 to 1948, winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. He was also a proud member of the 1945 and 1947 Stanley Cup winning Toronto Maple Leafs. To this day, he has NHL records that remain unchallenged since he retired from playing professional hockey in 1955. For the next twenty years, Gus coached at the Junior C, Junior B and Junior A levels and in the Western Professional League. He coached the Memorial Cup Champion Toronto Marlboros in 1967-68, moving to coach and manager of the Oshawa Generals until 1976. In 1971-72, he was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as Coach of the Year. He also coached the Bronze Medal winning Canada Junior team in 1977-78. In 1983 he was inducted to the North Western Sports Hall of Fame and in 1995, the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame.
Gus' passion off the ice was golf. A scratch golfer, he played in many Canadian celebrity tournaments benefiting a wide range of charities. In winter he enjoyed golfing with his wife and their many friends at their winter home in Lake Placid, Florida. Playing into his 80's, with a score close to his age, Gus often out shot his sons-in-law with his unconventional but effective slap-shot type drive.
Throughout his 82 years, Gus, in a variety of roles, touched thousands of people's lives and has left us all with a fine example of a life well lived. He will be very much missed as a loving husband, father and grandpa - and as a teammate and coach.
In accordance with Gus' wishes a private family gathering was held. Best wishes can be sent to the family via the Gus Bodnar website at www.gusbodnar.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local minor hockey team of choice.