An icon in the NHL and behind a pulpit has been restored to a place of honour.
A statue of Father Les Costello that was damaged beyond repair at the Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame has been replaced by an exact replica, done by the same sculptor.
“Father Les” left the NHL for the Catholic seminary in 1950. He went on to a life of service and charity with organizations like the Flying Fathers and the St. Martin de Porres Society.
Fellow Maple Leafs alumnus Paul Harrison says people have always asked about him.
“Dick Duff comes to mind,” he recalls. “Every single time I would see Dick Duff at any alumni event, the first thing he would say is ‘How’s the padre doing?’ and was genuinely interested in Les and what he was up to.”
Costello was never comfortable in the spotlight; and Harrison says it doesn’t matter who damaged the original statue — things happen for a reason.
“This whole event and everything that’s transpired has brought us here today to re-celebrate and to honour his legacy, as it should be,” Harrison remarks. “He should be front and centre with people for so many different reasons.”
Father Les’s final parish was St. Alphonsus in Schumacher, a block over from the McIntyre Arena. His funeral in 2002 had to be held at the Mac, because his church was too small for the 2,200 mourners.
Incidentally, the statues are the work of another Leafs alumnus, Gary Aldcorn.