Wrestling patriarch Stu Hart dies

The head of Calgary's famous Hart wrestling family has died at the age of 88.

Stu Hart

Stu Hart, died Thursday afternoon at Rockyview General Hospital from a stoke and complications due to diabetes and pneumonia. He was admitted October 3rd with a staph infection on his elbow.

His daughter, Georgia, says Hart suffered a stroke on Monday and died with family members by his side.

"Oh I think we're in a state of shock. We didn't expect it you know he was in reasonably good health, fairly stable and they thought maybe a few weeks in the hospital and he'd be released. I think the stroke just caught everybody off guard but it was very peaceful and short."

Hart is best known for developing the commercial form of pro wrestling in Canada, after introducing "Stampede Wrestling" - a popular saturday afternoon television show that ran from 1951 through to the late 80's. It was the precursor and inspiration for Vince McMahon's hugely successful World Wrestling Federation in the United States.

Hart was also an outstanding athlete, playing centre for the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1940's - and was an accomplished amateur wrestler.

He was instrumental in helping many young wrestlers launch their careers, including most of his sons, his most famous being Bret 'The Hitman' Hart.

Tragedy also dogged Hart's family in recent years. His son Owen was killed in a ring accident in Kansas city in 1999. Another son, Dean died in 1990 and a 13 year old grandson died seven years ago.

Their house had also burned down, and Bret suffered a stroke after a biking accident. His wife of 53 years, Helen, died nearly two years ago.

Hart was named to the Order of Canada on May 31, 2001.