
Brad Scheifele Dies at 68: Obituary and Family Impact
Brad Scheifele, a 68-year-old Kitchener resident and father of Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025. His son played Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs just hours later, a moment that resonated throughout the hockey world.
Age at passing: 68 ·
Years married: 40 ·
Date of death: May 17, 2025 ·
Number of children: 5 ·
Son’s NHL draft year: 2011
Quick snapshot
- Brad Scheifele died at age 68 (The Record obituary)
- He was married to Mary Lou for 40 years (The Record obituary)
- He had five children, including Mark Scheifele (The Record obituary)
- Cause of death not publicly specified in obituary (The Record obituary)
- Exact date of birth not confirmed in sources (The Record obituary)
- Whether the death was “unexpected” as per Sportsnet or “peaceful” as per obituary – the exact sequence remains unclear (Sportsnet)
- Place of death (WRHN @ Midtown) is a healthcare facility, but its exact nature is not specified in the obituary (HockeyFeed)
- Obituary published shortly after death (The Record obituary)
- Mark Scheifele played Game 6 on May 18 after the loss (Sportsnet)
- Family and community mourn (The Record obituary)
- Mark Scheifele continues playoff run with Jets support (Sportsnet)
Six key details about Brad Scheifele’s life and passing, one pattern: the story of a devoted family man whose legacy amplified through his son’s NHL career.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brad Bruce Scheifele |
| Age at death | 68 years old |
| Date of death | May 17, 2025 |
| Place of residence | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| Spouse | Mary Lou (married 40 years) |
| Children | 5, including Mark Scheifele |
Brad Scheifele’s obituary provides verified personal details but leaves the cause of death unspecified, underscoring the family’s privacy during a difficult time. The hockey world watched as his son Mark played through grief.
How old was Brad Scheifele when he passed away?
Exact age at death
Brad Scheifele was 68 years old at the time of his death, according to his official obituary published by The Record (local Kitchener obituary). The obituary states he “passed away peacefully, with family by his side” on May 17, 2025.
The obituary uses the word “peacefully,” indicating a non-traumatic passing, but the timing during the playoffs made it an emotional shock for the Jets organization.
Date and place of passing
The obituary confirms he died at WRHN @ Midtown in Kitchener, Ontario (HockeyFeed, NHL news aggregator). The setting — a healthcare facility — and the phrase “peacefully” suggest his death was not sudden, though no medical cause was disclosed in the public notice.
The implication: Brad Scheifele’s passing at 68, while peaceful, came as an emotional shock to the Winnipeg Jets organization and his family because of its timing during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Who is Brad Scheifele?
Relationship to Mark Scheifele
Brad Scheifele was the father of Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, the longest-tenured player on the team (Sportsnet, Canadian sports network).
For NHL fans, Brad Scheifele was not a public figure — but his sudden death put his son Mark in an unimaginable position. The Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff publicly acknowledged the family’s loss (Sportsnet), showing the tight-knit nature of the team.
Personal background (Kitchener, Ontario)
He lived in Kitchener, Ontario, and was married to Mary Lou for 40 years. Together they raised five children (The Record obituary).
Family: wife Mary Lou, five children
Beyond Mark, Brad is survived by his wife Mary Lou and four other children. The obituary identifies his full name as Bradley “Brad” Bruce Scheifele (The Record obituary).
What happened to Mark Scheifele?
Impact of father’s death on Mark
Mark Scheifele learned of his father’s death overnight before Game 6 of the Jets’ second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars (Sportsnet). The loss was described as “unexpected” by the network.
The contradiction between the obituary’s “peaceful” and Sportsnet’s “unexpected” highlights the private nature of the illness, which the family chose not to publicize.
Mark’s return to ice for Game 6
Despite the tragedy, Mark Scheifele played in Game 6 hours later. The Jets organization and teammates rallied around him, with head coach and players praising his emotional effort (Sportsnet).
The trade-off: Mark faced an impossible choice between mourning privately and honoring his team commitment. He chose the ice, and the hockey world took note.
How old is Scheifele’s dad?
Age at death (68)
Brad Scheifele was 68. His death in 2025 places his birth around 1957, though the exact date remains unconfirmed in public records (Wikipedia – Mark Scheifele indicates his father’s age, and the obituary confirms the year).
Why this matters: For fans searching for “how old is Scheifele’s dad,” the answer is 68 — a fact now memorialized in the obituary of a man whose son carries his legacy onto the ice.
Timeline of events
- 1993: Mark Scheifele born to Brad and Mary Lou (Wikipedia – Mark Scheifele).
- 2011: Mark drafted by Winnipeg Jets (first round, 7th overall) (NHL.com – Winnipeg Jets).
- May 17, 2025: Brad Scheifele passes away peacefully at 68 (The Record obituary).
- May 18, 2025: Mark plays Game 6 after father’s death (Sportsnet).
What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Brad Scheifele died on May 17, 2025 at age 68 (The Record obituary)
- He was married to Mary Lou for 40 years (The Record obituary)
- He had five children (The Record obituary)
- His obituary published by Henry Walser Funeral Home via The Record (The Record obituary)
What’s unclear
- Cause of death not disclosed (The Record obituary)
- Exact date of birth not published
- Circumstances of his illness reported by Sportsnet as “unexpected” (Sportsnet) remain unconfirmed in official obituary language
- Whether the death was sudden or anticipated is not resolved by the obituary text
Quotes from the family and the Jets
“Passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the age of 68.”
— Henry Walser Funeral Home obituary, as published by The Record
“The Jets are proud of Scheifele’s emotional Game 6 effort after death of father.”
— Winnipeg Jets organization, cited by Sportsnet
The pattern: a family’s private grief became public because of the playoffs. The Jets turned that loss into a rallying point, and Mark Scheifele delivered an unforgettable performance under impossible circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
What is Brad Scheifele’s full name?
Bradley “Brad” Bruce Scheifele, according to his obituary (The Record obituary).
How many children did Brad Scheifele have?
Five, including NHL player Mark Scheifele (The Record obituary).
Where did Brad Scheifele live?
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (The Record obituary).
When did Brad Scheifele die?
May 17, 2025 (The Record obituary).
Who is Brad Scheifele’s son?
Mark Scheifele, center for the Winnipeg Jets (Sportsnet).
Did Brad Scheifele play hockey?
His obituary does not mention a hockey career; he is identified primarily as a family man and father.
What is the Scheifele scandal?
There is no known scandal. The term may confuse Brad Scheifele’s obituary with unrelated online misinformation. Verified sources show only a private family tragedy.
Related reading
- Chronicle Herald Obituaries: Find Recent Deaths in Nova Scotia – a guide to obituary searches in Canada.
- Lightning de Tampa Bay: History, Scores, Roster & Stanley Cups – NHL team history for context.
For Mark Scheifele and the Winnipeg Jets, the choice is clear: honor his father’s memory by continuing the playoff push, or step away. They chose the ice. The hockey community now watches, quietly hoping that a game can be more than a game.