The Calgary Stampeders are mourning the death of one of the most beloved members of the Stampeders family as Doug Rooke passed away Monday. He was 95.

Rooke proudly served the Stampeders for decades before retiring in 2006 and was an exemplary ambassador for the Red and White.

For two decades, including the 1975 Grey Cup, Rooke supervised the ushers at McMahon Stadium. From 1992 to 1996, he volunteered during training camp for the Stampeders. For the six years after that, he was a special assistant to head coach and general manager Wally Buono and then held the title of Special Services.

After the Stamps’ Grey Cup victories in 1998 and 2001, Rooke was the custodian of the championship trophy and took the Cup on more than 1,000 public appearances.

In 1987, he was name Calgary Booster Club sportsman of the Year. He served as equipment manager of the Bantam and Keith Colts and later the Calgary Colts juniors. He owned two Grey Cup rings and two national championship rings from his time with the Colts.

“I was very sad to hear about it,” says head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “Doug Rooke was a fantastic man. I’ve been involved with the football team for a long time and Doug has always been a part of that. My condolences go out to his family.”

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes (14441 Bannister Rd. SE).