Kenora to re-name street for Winnipeg Jets superfan Kroppy

The city of Kenora, Ont. is honouring home town hero and Winnipeg Jets superfanLen Kropioski by naming a street after him.

The 98-year-old, who was affectionately known as Kroppy, andwas well known at Jets games in both Winnipeg and Kenora for his standing salute during O Canada,passed away in September 2016.

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The Second World War veteran made the 2-hour drivefromKenorato the MTS Centrefor every home game, except when his health wouldn't allow it.

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He wasa fixture on thescoreboard videoscreenabove centreiceatthe end of the national anthem, with a salutefollowed by a wide smile and a thumbs up.

McQuillan Street will be re-named Kroppy Lane.

"For us here it was a no-brainer," Kenora's Mayor David Canfieldsaid.

"Kroppy was so involved in sports as everybody knows, probably the number one Jets fan and obviously in Kenora. I guess his footprint in Kenora in sports, whether it's hockey, baseball or whatever, is tremendous," Canfield said.

Kropioski was key in helping underprivileged children in the community participate in sports.

"Kroppy was doing this years ago. I mean out of his own pocket, it was helping kids get into sports and paying for their jerseys and everything else," Canfield said.

The by-law to change the street name was approved unanimously by a city committee Tuesday and will be voted on officially by Kenora city council Jan.17.

The street being re-named leads to Kropioski's house.

If approved, Canada Post willbe contacted and four homes in the Norman neighbourhood will see their addresses change.

"I think the Norman people will be quite happy about it being called KroppyLane, I mean, all of the people in Kenora will be. But it's like the old neighbourhood rivalry that we all have in our communities.I think they will be pretty pleased," Canfield said.

Plans need to be solidified, but Canfield said once the signs are ordered there may be a ceremony when the new ones go up.

Kenora to rename street for Winnipeg Jets superfan Kroppy

8 years ago

Duration 0:38

The city of Kenora, Ont., plans to honour hometown hero and Winnipeg Jets superfan Len 'Kroppy' Kropioski by naming a street after him.