Habs legend Dickie Moore laid to rest

The casket of Montreal Canadiens' legend Dickie Moore leaves the Mountainside United Church, in Montreal, following funeral services on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Friends and family gathered in Westmount Monday to send off hockey legend Dickie Moore.

Born Richard Winston Moore, he grew up in Park Extension. He played 12 seasons at left wing with the Canadiens from 1951 to 1963 and won six Stanley Cups with the team. He was 84 when he died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 19.

A public visitation was held over the weekend, but the funeral, which took place at Mountainside United Church in Westmount, was limited to friends and family only.

Moore wore the number 12 with the team, and he was so superstitious about it that his family had the funeral begin at 12 and his coffin arrive at 12:12 p.m.

Moore, a Hall of Fame player, has been described as someone who took great care of the people he cared about.

Montreal Gazette columnist Dave Stubbs said when he opened Dickie Moore Rentals, a tool and equipment rental business, he would treat those whoo showed up at his St. Laurent head office like family, offering them coffee and going through scrapbooks full of photos.

“Dickie made everyone feel welcome no matter how intimidate or nervous [they were],” Stubbs said.

His company is now known worldwide, and the key to his success was that he believed in hard work.

"Even at the end he was 75 or 80 years old, he was at the office at 7 a.m. and he didn't have to do that," said former Hab and fellow legend Guy Lafleur.

Rejean Houle, another Habs great, said Moore used his business acumen to help others.

“He always thought about giving back to the community, and giving back to alumni also, helping players. He did help other players at the time, because the guys didn’t make too much money, and he helped the players when he could,” he said.

Since the beginning of last season, the Habs family has lost 10 members including Jean Beliveau, Dollard St. Laurent and Elmer Lach.

Moore is survived by his wife Joan, his daughter Lianne, his son, John, daughter-in-law Josée and grandchildren Jonathan, Winston and Katherine.