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That was such a lovely tribute, thanks for posting it for us.

There were some good times in Rancho Mirage......from a Canadian newspaper story......

Since Gerald Ford’s passing last week at age 93, much has been written about the 38th president’s connections to the Michigan Wolverines’ football program.

It also turns out that the former leader of the free world also had quite an in with — the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers?

In the 1980s, Ford was on the board of directors of a meat processing plant owned by then-Oilers owner Peter Pocklington.

In turn, Ford often entertained the entire Oiler squad at his California home.

FORTUNE OVERFLOWETH

Dave Hunter, then an Oiler forward, recalled being in the Ford home one night when a visit to the bathroom turned into his own version of water torture.

“The toilet overflowed, and there was water going all over everywhere,” recalled Hunter. “I’m in there, thinking, ‘Geez, there must be a plunger in here.’ And Coff (Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey) starts knocking on the door, saying, ‘Hey, you coming out of there ... Mrs. Ford is coming down the hall!’ I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed in my whole life.”

SEEING RED

The Fords and Oilers were at a restaurant one night when Oiler Esa Tikkanen, the playfully devious forward, plotted to slip under the table and apply a liberal coating of ketchup to the former President’s shoes.

“We had to restrain Tikk from doing anything so exceptionally stupid,” recalled Craig MacTavish, the former Bruin who is now the Oilers coach.

End newspaper story

What it doesn't mention is the whole team would play golf all day, then come to the President's house for hors d'oeuvres. They were the biggest guys anyone has ever seen in one place and they were all starving. People with the trays of canapes would have to try and dodge the same guys waiting at the kitchen door who would clean the tray in seconds...lol......the staff was playing catch me if you can and going around to another door to get food to everyone. Then they would all leave for dinner at Wally's Desert Turtle where the ketchup story took place.

God bless President Ford, thanks for the memories.

Thanks for the ping, WCG, and Kate, thank you for a lovely tribute to President Ford.

Darn.............screen all blurry.

I always thought the Brits did beautiful pomp and pageantry. The celebrations of life we give our deceased Presidents are second to none.

Rest in Peace, President Ford.