The man perhaps best known for singing the national anthem on the ice at Rexall Place lost his battle with cancer Tuesday, surrounded by loved ones.
Paul Lorieau's family issued a statement late Tuesday night, announcing the 71-year-old had passed away, surrounded by family, at a care centre in the city.
Lorieau had performed the national anthem at Oilers home games for more than thirty years, since the early 1980s - the NHL team issued a statement Tuesday evening after the news broke.
In the statement, Oilers President Patrick LaForge said “Paul will be respected and remembered for being a key player in the history of the Edmonton Oilers.
“His passion and excitement became a staple at every Oilers home game for more than 30 years.”
Although he performed countless times at Rexall Place over the years, the performance that may resonate the most with Oilers fans dates back to Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in 2006.
That night, Lorieau began singing O Canada,but after a few lines, pointed his microphone in the air, and let the packed stadium take over, and finish the anthem.
Lorieau is survived by four daughters, and five grandchildren – the Oilers said funeral services will be held at St. Joseph’s Basilica on Monday, July 8, at 1:30 p.m.
On March 24, 2011, on the eve of his retirement, Paul Lorieau paid a visit to Rosario's Pizza & Pub in Edmonton and sang his karaoke rendition of Yesterday by The Beatles.
