Father’s death forced Hall of Famer Hank Ilesic to grow up quickly
Hank Ilesic was just 17 when he joined the Edmonton Eskimos in time for their record-setting Grey Cup dynasty, but pro football didn’t force him to grow up quickly.
Life did that eight years prior.
Ilesic, 58, was only nine years old when his father, Frank, died at age 43. The elder Ilesic never saw his son play football, never relished any of his seven Grey Cup wins, time in the NFL or being named Wednesday for induction in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
“When your dad dies and you’re nine years old, your life changes very quickly,” Ilesic said. “It changes instantly when your father or mother dies.