Just goes to show some people are really upset about the lockout

Archie Bennitz was a rabid hockey fan. He moved to Ottawa three years ago to be closer to his family after his wife died, but even in his 80s, his fandom did not abate. But the lockout made him depressed — so much so that he made an unusual request to his sons, which ended up being granted:

Archibald "Archie" Bennitz passed away this week, but the big hockey fan, who was 84, didn’t go quietly after having to put up with the indignity of an NHL lockout.

In fact, the former Royal Canadian Air Force mechanic, who was stationed in London during the Second World War, had NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and players union leader Bob Goodenow in his sights before he died, and let go a volley at the two that he told his son, David, could be repeated in his obituary.

"He asked that Mr. Bettman and Mr. Goodenow know that they are ‘skunks’ for denying him the pleasure of watching the NHL on TV this year," read his death notice in yesterday’s Citizen. "He also asked that Mr. Bettman step aside and give Wayne Gretzky the job that rightfully belongs to him."

Think I’m kidding? Read the obit for yourselves. And hey, maybe all his wishes will be granted…

(Thanks to hockey fan JB for the link.)