Walter Gretzky died Thursday at the age of 82 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and other health issues, his son Wayne announced.

"For me, he was the reason I fell in love with the game of hockey. He inspired me to be the best I could be not just in the game of hockey, but in life," Gretzky tweeted. "We will miss him so much, but know that he's back with our Mom and that brings me and my family peace."

Walter was born in 1938 in Canning, Ontario. He showed a keen interest in hockey from a young age, but his smaller size never allowed him to progress beyond the junior level. He eventually became an installer and repairman for Bell Canada for 34 years.

Wayne consistently credited Walter's coaching and support in the early years of his life as the foundation that enabled him to become the game's greatest player of all time. Walter was often referred to as Canada's hockey dad.

"He taught me the basics of life as far as schooling, as far as how I treated people," Wayne said in a 1996 interview with CBC-TV. "I don't think there's any question in my mind I wouldn't be playing professional hockey if it wasn't for him."

Walter was a major contributor to minor hockey in Canada and multiple charities throughout his life and was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors, in 2007 for his work and dedication.

Walter's wife of 45 years, Phyllis, died in 2005 after a battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his children Wayne, Kim, Keith, Glen, and Brent, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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