Alumnus Spotlight: Fr. Lester John Thomas Costello
Fr. Lester John Thomas Costello (February 16, 1928 – December 10, 2002) was a Canadian ice hockey player, St. Augustine’s Seminary Alumnus and Catholic priest.
He was born in Timmins and played hockey as a teenager, eventually joining Toronto's St. Michael's Majors in the 1940s, winning the Memorial Cup twice with the team in 1945 and 1947. He subsequently played two years in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, including the 1948 Stanley Cup championship team.
Costello retired from professional hockey in 1950 to pursue seminary studies at St. Augustine's Seminary and was ordained in 1957. After serving briefly in Kirkland Lake, he took a parish in his hometown of Timmins, where he was widely respected for his fun-loving demeanour and tireless commitment to social justice.
In 1963, Costello and colleague Brian McKee founded the Flying Fathers, a group of Catholic priests who played exhibition hockey. Originally intended as a one-time charity event, the Fathers became a phenomenon, regularly touring North America to raise money for charity.
Writer Charlie Angus published a biography of Costello, Les Costello: Canada's Flying Father, in 2005. The same year, a foundation to raise funds for food banks, homeless shelters, and other anti-poverty charities in Northern Ontario was also launched in Costello's memory. Costello was posthumously inducted into the Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame in 2014.
Many priests throughout the team's long history have dedicated much time and energy to contributing to its success in supporting the cause of charity and healthy entertainment. Father Les Costello was the heart and soul of the Flying Fathers. He was the club’s co-founder, prayed and played his way through 40 consecutive seasons, and was instrumental in the game’s longevity. His life was a total commitment and service to God and the community at large right to the end of his life.
The real concern for the Flying Fathers is not who wins the games. Father Costello always said "When we play these games, everyone wins, families are brought together while supporting charities. Laughter soothes the body and soul.” #LeafsForever
Source: Wikipedia
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