Some 18 years after his passing, Father Les Costello remains a legend in Timmins. The newest version of the hockey team he helped establish is set to make a return to the City with a Heart of Gold.
Saturday night, the Flying Fathers face off against members of the South Porcupine Fire Department in a charity hockey game at the McIntyre Arena. The game is a fundraiser for the Timmins Rock hockey club.
In 1963, Costello and Brian McKee founded the Flying Fathers — a collection of priests who played hockey, touring North American to raise funds for charity.
Members of the new team are looking forward to their trip north.
“We’re very excited,” said Fr. John Perdue, one of the organizers and a member of the current Flying Fathers Hockey Team. “It’s been a few years in the making to come back to Father Les’ stomping grounds.
“This is our first time coming back to Timmins. But the first game we dubbed as the resurrection of the Flying Fathers was in Ennismore, Ont., (near Peterborough) in January of 2018. We’ve since played two tours. One in the Ottawa Valley and one in the Niagara Falls area. This is our third and we’re coming to Timmins on this one.”
Prior to the game, there will be a tribute to Costello in the opening ceremonies. In addition, some of his memorabilia will be on display at The Mac.
Perdue and said he his teammates feel it will help make the game special.
“I’ve been the follower of a Facebook group called A Tribute to Father Les Costello,” he explained. “I’ve been watching the love for Father Les in the community and it’s still very much alive.
“I’ve had one or two people commenting on social media when they found out we were touring again, asking when are you coming back to Timmins? I was able to write back and give them the date and the time.”
He said the legacy of Costello extends well beyond Timmins.
“It (this visit) means a lot,” Perdue said. “We know that the team has a name because of Father Les and their years of charitable work. I can’t wait to hear the stories.
“Everywhere you go, you hear Les Costello stories. When we’ve played as the Flying Fathers in Niagara Falls or Pembroke, we’ll hear ‘one time, Father Les …’ and then the story will come. It will be anything from helping the poor to something funny he said.
“It’s something we’re all looking forward to, hearing the stories.”
As for the game, Perdue said everyone in attendance will be entertained.
“They can expect a joyful, family friendly evening that brings families together and raises money for charity and some quality hockey,” he said. “We’ve got some guys who have played university level hockey or junior level hockey.
“As Father Les once said in an interview, most of the guys are priests and you will see by the way they play they are priests. That’s true of us still. We’ve got a few that are still competitive hockey players and a few that are priests who can skate. You can see a variety of skill and a lot of humour.”
Some components of the Flying Fathers have returned as well. For example, Smitty the Clown is back with the team.
“If you’ve ever seen the Flying Fathers before, you may recognize some of the things that happen on the ice,” Perdue said. “We have a flying monk. We couldn’t get a flying nun, but we’ve got a flying monk coming.
“There’s lots of fun and games incorporated. It’s a blast.”
Game time Saturday is 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for youth seven to 18 years, and $5 for kids six years and under. Tickets are available at Core Business Solutions, NAPA Auto Parts, Kia of Timmins, Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, and Wicket Stuff, or online at timminsrock.com.
There will also be a collection of donations to the food bank at the game.
