John Forzani passes away in Palm Springs hospital

John Forzani was the guest of honour at the Flames Ambassadors Celebrity Roast in 2012

Calgary businessman and former Stampeder John Forzani suffered a heart attack on Thursday and died at the Eisenhower Medical Centre in California early Friday morning.

The prominent Calgarian was on life support and family say he died at the hospital at about 12:30 a.m.

Forzani was born and raised in Calgary and graduated from St. Francis High School.

He went on to achieve a degree in business from Utah State University and then returned to Calgary to play for the Stampeders as an offensive guard in the 70s alongside his brothers.

Forzani was a business leader, founding The Forzani Group Ltd, Canada’s largest and only national sporting goods retailer, which was sold to Canadian Tire in 2011.

"John Forzani was an entrepreneur, a leader and a great Canadian who made a deep and positive impression on everyone he came in contact with. The whole team at FGL Sports and the Canadian Tire Family of Companies are mourning his loss today.  Our thoughts are with John’s family and many friends." said Michael Medline, President, Canadian Tire Corporation .

Forzani had strong roots in the community and was involved in and supported a number of programs across the country.

He believed in promoting physical fitness and started the Forzani Mother’s Day Run and Walk 35 years ago to raise funds for health programs.

The Stampeders released a statement on Friday and said he will be dearly missed.

"John's passion for community and football were singularly essential in the revival of the Stamps' important role in the community," said Stampeders chairman Ken King. "It is one, among many, of his great legacies. I will miss him dearly."

"This is a very sad day for the organization and we feel the weight of this great loss," said Stampeders president Gordon Norrie. "There is absolutely no doubt the Stampeders are a better organization and team because of the efforts and dedication of John and his partners.

"On behalf of the entire organization, I extend my condolences to John's wife Linda and his children Jodi and Michael."

"I'm very saddened by John's passing," said Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. "He was a teammate, a friend and a hunting buddy. John was very instrumental in my return to the Stampeders organization in 2008 and I'm very proud of what we were all able to build here together."

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said the "CFL family is saddened by the news of John Forzani's passing. As a league, we are immensely proud to say he was one of ours," in a statement adding...

As individuals, we are so grateful to have known him. On the field, John was a Grey Cup champion. In business, he epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit. In the community, he supported causes he believed in. And as a member of our Board of Governors, and an owner of the Calgary Stampeders, he did much to move the CFL forward. Gregarious and outgoing, John was a joy to be around. He not only demonstrated to us all how to reach lofty goals; he showed us how to enjoy the journey, as well. Our thoughts are with his family.

Like all of his other friends across the country, we will miss him, and remember him

The Calgary Flames also released a statement saying...

It is with deepest sympathies that the Calgary Flames mourn the loss of John Forzani.

"Our hearts go out to John’s family: Linda, Jodi and Michael,” said Flames President & CEO and Stampeders Chairman, Ken King. “John was a great man whose personal and business legacies will endure forever.”

“He was also my dear friend who was always there for everyone who knew or needed him. My fondest memories of him always included laughter and happiness. He touched many, asked for little and gave much.”

Forzani was a native Calgarian and a former Stampeders player who was part of a local group that purchased the club in 2005. The Calgary Flames became majority owners of the Stampeders in 2012 but Forzani retained a minority stake and was the team’s co-chair in 2013.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Forzani family as they grieve their loss.

John Forzani was 67.