Fans pay respects to Gordie Howe downtown; funeral plans set

DETROIT (WJBK) - Hockey fans continue to remember Red Wings legend Gordie Howe.

He died Friday at the age of 88. Funeral plans are set and will give anyone who wants to pay their respects one last chance to say goodbye.

Outside the Gordie Howe entrance at Joe Louis Arena, a banner waves thanking Mr. Hockey, and on Tuesday will be able to go there and say goodbye.

His visitation will be open to the public Tuesday at the Joe where he played for decades.

"I think the visitation being held at the Joe is fitting because he was known as Mr. Hockey," said Robert Hellar. "He dedicated all of his life to hockey whether it was helping children who didn't have enough money to play hockey or get the equipment. His wife was very instrumental helping others as well.  Having the visitation at the Joe Louis Arena is fitting because hockey was his life."

Hellar said that Gordie Howe inspired him when he played in high school, amateur and junior hockey and talked about once getting to meet him.

Fans are expressing their opinions about honoring Mr. Hockey by naming the new Red Wings arena that is being built.

His Hockey Hall of Fame career started in 1946 and ended in 1980, although he kept on coming back. The icon also set an NHL record of 801 goals, 1850 points, and a record that held up until Wayne Gretzky came along.

"Who can say that?" said fan Rich Terryah. "Nobody. He was one of a kind. He was looked up to right until the end."

The visitation will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday and the funeral for Howe will be the following day at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 9844 Woodward.