Profile Text
Gretzky in 2007, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Wayne Douglas Gretzky
Place of Birth: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: January 26, 1961
Ethnicity: * father – Belarusian, Ukrainian * mother – English, some Cornish and Irish
Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, and head coach. A centre, he played for a total of twenty seasons, for the Indianapolis Racers, the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings, the St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL); and was with the Canada national team. He coached the Phoenix Coyotes. Considered one of the greatest ice hockey players ever, he is in the NHL Hall of Fame. He is nicknamed “The Great One.”
Wayne is the son of Phyllis Leone and Walter Gretzky. His father was raised on a cucumber farm. Wayne’s father’s family were said to have been landowners in the Russian Empire. It appears that his father was of Belarusian and Ukrainian descent, though he has also been said to have had Polish, Russian, and/or Jewish ancestry; the family evidently spoke Ukrainian. His mother was of English, and some Cornish and Irish, descent.
Among his siblings are professional hockey players Keith Gretzky and Brent Gretzky. Wayne is married to American actress Janet Jones, with whom he has five children, including model and singer Paulina Gretzky and actor Trevor Gretzky.
Wayne’s paternal grandfather was named Terentiy/Anton Lavrentievich “Tony” Gritzko/Gretzky/Gretsky/Gretcki (the son of Lavrentiy Gritzko/Gretcki and Nastasia). Terentiy was born in Ogdlmar, Grodno/Hrodna, Russian Empire, now Belarus, and likely was of ethnic Belarusian descent. The surname was pronounced hretski . Lavrentiy was the son of Semyon Gretzky. Wayne has stated that his grandfather was of “50% Jewish” ancestry. Is it not clear if this is accurate.
Wayne’s paternal grandmother was named Pauline Maria/Mary Khodenetsky. Pauline was born in Panovychi/Podhajce, interwar Poland, now Ukraine, and likely was of ethnic Ukrainian descent.
Wayne’s maternal grandfather was Harold Seymour Hockin (the son of Harold Herbert Hockin and Mabel Ellen Brock). Wayne’s grandfather Harold was born in Brantford, Brant County, Ontario. Wayne’s great-grandfather Harold was born in London, Middlesex County, Ontario, the son of Herbert Samuel Hockin, whose father was from Fowey, Cornwall, England; and of Elizabeth/Eliza Agnes Eagles/Eagle. Wayne’s great-grandmother Mabel was born in Port Dover, Norfolk County, Ontario, the daughter of Willard William/Walter Brock and Mary Catherine Howey. She had at least partial roots in the U.S.
Wayne’s maternal grandmother was Betty Leone Cook (the daughter of Adam Edward “Ed” Cook and Muriel Leona Biggs/Briggs). Adam was born in Ontario, the son of Harry/Henry Cook and Margaret/Mary Currie/Curry. Muriel was born in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, the daughter of Frederick/Frederic/Fred Biggs/Briggs and Ida/Adeline/Addie May Moore.
Sources: http://www.waltergretzky.com
Information about Wayne’s Belarusian relatives – http://www.network54.com
Genealogy of Wayne Gretzky – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Wayne’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Wayne’s maternal grandmother, Betty Leone (Cook) Hockin – http://yourlifemoments.ca
Marriage record of Wayne’s maternal great-grandparents, Adam Edward “Ed” Cook and Muriel Leona Biggs/Briggs – https://www.familysearch.org