Slain sports icon, wife honoured
Calgary broadcasting legend Billy Powers was remembered Thursday as a caring man who always had time to tell a joke or drink a beer.
Close to 1,000 people made their way into the Red and White Club at McMahon Stadium for the memorial for Powers and his wife, Donna-Lee, who were found slain in their home July 4.
“It’s tragic circumstances, but at the same time we remember, you know, how dear he was to Calgary and how dear he was to everybody that he came across,” said Craig Button, a sports broadcaster and former NHL executive.
While famous for his unforgettable voice — Powers served as the “Voice of the Stampeders” for nearly two decades — it was his ability to tell a joke and put people at ease being remembered on Thursday.
“He always had a joke, he had a million jokes. He was just that kind of guy, fun-loving. It was his spirit,” said Doug Veronelly, who was hoping to take the day as an opportunity to forget about the tragic circumstances of the death of the couple and focus on the good memories.
Veronelly hosts the Odd Squad in the morning for Country 105. He and Powers worked in the same building.
“Today is a hard day. Today is a day for us to come together and remember,” he said.
Inside the Red and White Club, it was standing-room only as pipers started the service with a performance of Amazing Grace.
Officials overseeing the memorial said they were expecting around 500 people to show up, but nearly double that came to pay their respects.
Donna was considered a wonderful lady with a bright personality.
“She always had a smile and was always laughing,” said Marilyn Pharand, who knew Donna through business.
Donna and Billy met at a Calgary Flames golf tournament. They worked the beer cart together and, five months later, were married. Donna worked as an office manager at the Calgary Jewish Federation.
Billy started working at the Edmonton Journal as a reporter in 1961. A few years later he was working in Calgary as a court reporter for The Albertan, predecessor to the Calgary Sun. He wasn’t there long before he started writing sports.
It was sports where Billy found his passion. In 1968, he started taking the first steps in becoming a radio icon when he moved to CKXL and later, QR 770.
“He was always taking time to hear everybody and try and understand what was going on, whether it was pro sports or amateur sports,” said Button.
Powers was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
“It (has) been very difficult for me to wrap my head around why such a tragedy occurs” said Stan Schwartz, executive vice-president for the Cal- gary Stampeders.
Derek Puffer — Donna Lee’s 35-year-old son — is charged with two counts of second-degree murder.