The friendship began with their wives, and never waned.
As little as three months ago, Mark Howe still made sure to visit Bill and Edna Gadsby when in Detroit. Mark came to know the two through his father, Gordie, and mother, Colleen, as the two families were close for decades.
Gadsby passed away Thursday at the age of 88. He played 1,248 NHL games between the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Red Wings, spending the final five seasons of his legendary career in Detroit from 1961-66. Gadsby coached the Wings to a 35-31-12 record from 1968-70.