A Second World War veteran who became famous for his salute during the singing of O Canada at Winnipeg Jets games has died.
A relative confirms that Len Kropioski, who was 98, died Tuesday afternoon at a personal care home in Kenora, Ont.
Affectionately known by his admirers as Kroppy, the senior super fan was almost always shown on the scoreboard standing at attention and saluting his country at the end of the national anthem to loud cheers at MTS Centre.
He was hospitalized for about a month earlier this year but made a return to the arena and received a standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes as he blew kisses toward the crowd.
Kropioski, who grew up in Winnipeg's north end and lived for many years in Kenora, had a long history of cheering on teams in his home town.
Not only was he a season-ticket holder with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, but he was a regular at Jets games at the old Winnipeg Arena before the franchise moved to Phoenix.