David Sanetra remembers always seeing Chicago Blackhawks principal owner and chairman W. Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz sitting near him during games at United Center.
"I sit in the 200 level and he was right below me in [Section] 119, not in the skybox," Sanetra, a Blackhawks ticket holder of 46 years, said prior to the public memorial service for Wirtz on Wednesday. "Just always cordial, always willing to talk to fans.
"He was just always there. It's so different from the past and it's going to be missed. It's going to really be missed. I had to be here."
About 1,000 family, friends, Blackhawks staff members and fans attended the hourlong ceremony at United Center for Wirtz, who died July 25 at the age of 70.
The banners for Chicago's Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015, which came during Wirtz's tenure, were hung above the stage for the event. The Blackhawks logo, done in carnations and mums, was also on the stage next to a framed No. 13 jersey with "Dad" sewn on the back.
Darren Pang, who will be the Blackhawks television color commentator beginning this season, hosted the event. Pang said he saw Wirtz for the last time three weeks ago.
"I hugged him, again," said Pang, a former goalie who played all 81 of his NHL games with the Blackhawks. "I think I caught him by surprise. Not sure he was expecting a big hug, but he got it from the little fella. I thanked him for the opportunity to return."
Born Oct. 5, 1952, Wirtz was the grandson of Arthur Wirtz, who bought a stake in the Blackhawks in 1950 and acquired outright ownership of them in 1966. His father, Bill, owned the Blackhawks from 1983 until 2007, when Rocky inherited the team following Bill's death.
Kevin Murphy knew Rocky well, as his father, Don, worked in public relations for the Blackhawks for 46 years until retiring in 1995.
"Early when Rocky took over, after a game, he was signing autographs for people on the concourse," Murphy said as he looked at photos of Rocky and the Wirtz family in the concourse. "I'll never forget that. I gave him a thumbs-up.
"A very respectful man and family. It's very sad."
Gabbie Roderer, Murphy's friend of 34 years who took care of the Wirtz's beagles, agreed.
"Rocky was not too big for life," she said. "He would talk to anybody."
In 2007, the Blackhawks and Wirtz made a deal with Comcast SportsNet Chicago (now NBC Sports Chicago) to televise home games, something that wasn't done in Bill Wirtz's time as owner unless the Blackhawks were on national TV.
"He did not revitalize the franchise. I don't think that does him justice," said Pat Foley, Blackhawks play-by-play commentator from 1981-2006 on radio and 2008-2022 on television. "I believe he saved it.
"We all knew where he sat. It'd be right up there in the corner, among the fans, the security guy hanging around, but he was never needed because religiously people are coming up to Rocky [saying], 'Will you sign my hat? Can I take a picture with you?' He was always welcoming, always affable. He was a fun, fun-loving guy. He was very much a giver."
Wirtz helped mend relationships that were frayed between former players and his father, Bill, welcoming back several Hall of Famers as ambassadors: forwards Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita in December 2007, goalie Tony Esposito in February 2008 and forward Denis Savard in November 2008.
Hall of Fame member Chris Chelios, a former Blackhawks defenseman, rejoined them when he was named an ambassador in July 2018. Chelios said Wirtz was always great to his family, including daughter Caley, who is a reporter/studio analyst for the Blackhawks.
"When Caley was getting ready to go to college, it was Rocky who met with her and inspired her to live her dream," said Chelios, who paused as he fought back tears. "Because of Rocky, she's now doing that. Now Caley's part of that family, living her dream, and I couldn't be prouder."
Former forward Marian Hossa, who won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015, said he appreciated what he called the "gentleman's agreement" Wirtz gave him in 2018. With Hossa no longer able play because of a skin disorder, the Blackhawks traded the three years remaining on his contract to the Arizona Coyotes, and Wirtz said Hossa could retire with the Blackhawks.
"After a few years, when it was time for me to officially retire, Rocky delivered his promise," said Hossa, who signed a contract to retire with the Blackhawks on April 5, 2022. "That meant a lot to me, not just being able to retire with this organization, but the fact that Rocky made a promise to me, and he kept that promise. That's something I'll never forget."
Wirtz brought the Blackhawks back into the hockey spotlight. Those who knew him, worked for him and played for him will always remember him for that.
"It was never him being an owner and us being players. We were all pulling on the same rope together," said former defenseman Brent Seabrook, who also was on the Blackhawks' three championship teams during Wirtz's years as owner.
"That type of relationship in this world is rare, but as a player I always appreciated that. He wasn't controlling or around too much, but we always felt his presence."