Rest in peace, Mr. Hockey.
Gordie Howe’s visitation and funeral will be both open to the public as friends, fans and loved ones have been encouraged to pay their respects to Gordie Howe.
The visitation began Tuesday at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena at 9 a.m. and will be open to 9 p.m. — a nice wink to the icon’s No. 9 sweater.
Mark Howe said he told JLA people, "if there are still people here at 9 pm, we're not closing it. Dad wouldn't have." Visitation for #9RIP
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) June 14, 2016
Howe’s family will greet the public in the arena, where he lies in state underneath his retired number and four championship banners.
Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline, former coach Scotty Bowman, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, former player Kris Draper, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill were just a few to pay their respects to Howe’s family.
His funeral will be held Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
You can watch the funeral live on Sportsnet beginning at 10 a.m. ET and sportsnet.ca here.
Here is the live stream of Tuesday’s visitation:
Howe died Friday. He was 88. Howe will be cremated, as was his wife Colleen, when she passed away in 2009.
The family has requested donations be made to the Gordie Howe Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, the Howe Foundation or the Gordie Howe Fund for Alzheimer’s Research in lieu of flowers.
Here are some images and messages during Tuesday’s outpouring of love and respect for Mr. Hockey. There will never be another.
Asked if the NHL should retire Gordie Howe's No. 9, Wayne Gretzky said, "If I had my way I'd do it."
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) June 14, 2016
A couple hours into the visitation for Gordie Howe, the tribute banners are almost full. Going to need some more… pic.twitter.com/HKTjvVGKJF
— Dan Robson (@RobsonDan) June 14, 2016
#9RIP pic.twitter.com/qCdWBWr70K
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 14, 2016
Steve Yzerman has arrived at JLA to pay is respects. The #RedWings great will be a pallbearer at Gordie Howe's funeral on Wednesday.
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) June 14, 2016
Fans can sign a "Thank you, Mr. Hockey" poster that's outside the Joe. #RIPGordieHowe pic.twitter.com/UUzNM5baNY
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) June 14, 2016
Tigers great Al Kaline has arrived at JLA for Gordie Howe's visitation.
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) June 14, 2016
Public visitation for fans wishing to pay their respects to Gordie Howe will begin at 9a. #9RIP pic.twitter.com/yb4TyIYOfL
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 14, 2016
The hearse carrying hockey legend Gordie Howe arrives at Joe Louis Arena. pic.twitter.com/D714Z2jMsk
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) June 14, 2016
Mourners and NHL fans pay their respects to legendary Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe #9RIP pic.twitter.com/HPGQhdvGEd
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 14, 2016
Gordie Howe's casket is making its way to arena floor with Mark Howe and Al Kaline among those walking with it
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) June 14, 2016
Wayne Gretzky, Scotty Bowman & Gordie Howe's sons were among Mr. Hockey's pallbearers this morning pic.twitter.com/4DXeUxp0mC
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) June 14, 2016
The Greatest of Them All #Gordie Howe pic.twitter.com/EpA6uARd0t
— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) June 14, 2016
Tigers great Al Kaline has arrived at JLA for Gordie Howe's visitation.
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) June 14, 2016
Incredible setup at Joe Louis Arena for Gordie Howe's visitation. Retired number. Four Cup banners. Red carpet. pic.twitter.com/c0RMlCG46f
— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) June 14, 2016
Fans at the Joe to pay respect to Gordie Howe. #9RIP pic.twitter.com/TBKz3Jsxi1
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) June 14, 2016
Gordie Howe visitation program pic.twitter.com/dxhqJDcGgX
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) June 14, 2016
No quick visit for Wayne Gretzky at Howe's visitation. Still here with Howe's friends and family. pic.twitter.com/1Kw5f5sd4e
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 14, 2016
