Music: {allcanada} Howe physically strong, dementia worsening at 85

Sunday, March 31, 2013

{allcanada} Howe physically strong, dementia worsening at 85

DETROIT - The physical vigor is still there, the strength, the endurance. Gordie Howe at 85 doesn't miss a shift of his daily constitutional, barely breaks a sweat.

It's Howe's mental fragility that tears at his children. It's why they will cherish Sunday all the more, as they gather with him at Joe Louis Arena. Howe is slated to be celebrated on his birthday by the Detroit Red Wings during their game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Another Red Wings great is scheduled to be at the rink, too, as Nicklas Lidstrom is in town with his family.

Howe defined the Red Wings for a quarter of a century starting in 1946, came to define hockey, for that matter. He was style and substance, a legend long before he retired from the NHL in 1980. He dallied with other teams but danced with the Red Wings, leading them to four Stanley Cups.

In the years since he stopped playing, he never stopped hanging out with the Red Wings. A decade ago, a young Russian remembers what it was like to first see Howe around the locker room, milling about with guys who could be his grandchildren.

"I say no words," center Pavel Datsyuk said. "I can't speak with him. I shy. He too good."

Howe hasn't been around as much the past few years, as dementia slowly has taken over his life, progressing from mild to intermediate. Son Mark Howe, a scout for the Red Wings, said Gordie "is struggling. I think his memory might be down to two minutes, maybe five on a good day."

Howe is never left alone any more. He has been in Detroit staying with old friends for about a week. Before that, he was with his daughter, Cathy, in Texas. Howe stayed with Mark, in Philadelphia, for 10 days around Christmas.

"All you have to do is make oatmeal for him in the morning, then have a cookie or apple pie or chocolate ice cream before bed, and then he's happy," Mark said. "But if it's not someone that he knows who's with him, he really struggles.

"He was watching the Wings game the other night, and after two periods he put on his coat and made to leave. He said he was going to see Sid Abel at the end of the street. That's the first I'd heard of that kind of thing. But that's the stage he's at."

Howe's family knows this birthday could be among the last. That's why everyone is coming to Detroit -- Mark, Cathy, Murray and Marty, the four children of Gordie and Colleen Howe. Howe's wife passed away four years ago after battling Pick's disease, a neurological disorder that causes dementia. Numerous grandchildren are coming as well, plus longtime friends.

"The last time we were all together was when my mom passed," Mark said. "We all want to be together for this birthday, because we don't know if this will be his last quality birthday. We're hoping to get one or two more. He still loves being around people - that's when his natural behavior comes out, the person that he is. But his life needs to be simple."

Mark noticed what he called a "big decline" in Howe's mental health last summer. Still, when Mark would go out to exercise, his dad would come along.

"He can walk fine," Mark said. "If I go for a run, he can walk 3.5 miles no problem. Doesn't even sweat. He's still incredibly strong. He still has great endurance."

Long after he stopped playing hockey, Howe was an influence on those who play it. Once 23-year-old Datsyuk got over his shyness, there were conversations here and there with Howe. Always, there was encouragement.

"He say lots of good things, is motivation," Datsyuk said. "Is very special to me that he talk to me."

Howe holds a special place in Red Wings history, treasured since the middle of last century. It doesn't get much more appropriate, much more perfect, than to have him spend his 85th birthday at a hockey rink, with the Wings, against an Original Six foe, surrounded by family, friends and fans.