Stompin' Tom Connors statue unveiled in downtown Sudbury

You already knew Stompin' Tom was a national icon, but having fellow Canadians raise money to erect a statue as a tribute to his life truly solidified his legendary status.

That's exactly what happened for Stompin' Tom Connors, the popular Canadian folk and countrymusician from Saint John, N.B. Connors died in March 2013 and since then, residents of Sudbury, Ont.,have made it a priority to ensure he is forever remembered by collecting funds to honour him with a 600-plus pound bronze statue that depicts the musician stomping to the beat of his musicduring the 1970s.

Tyler Fauvelle is a sculptor who says he always thought it was important to do something for the man who left us with The Hockey Song, which is regularly heard in hockey arenas from coast to coast.The artistadds it was easy to identify with Connors.

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"I've always been a Stompin' Tom fan," says Fauvelle, who adds helistened to more of his music during the sculpting process. "I've become even more of a fan and a great admirer for what he stood for as well as just the music, his fight for Canadian artists and Canadian music as a whole."

Fauvelle says Connors's message was simple:"Be proud of your country and shine a light on what makes it wonderful."

Maureen Luomaplayed a big part in helping ensure the project got done. Sheis the executive director of the Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area (BIA) and was part of the committee that made the statue a reality. She says she is "very happy" to see the long process finally result in success.

We've had donations from as far away as Vancouver.- MaureenLuoma, SudburyBIAexecutive director

"We're very excited that Tom has finally found his place," saysLuoma.

Connorsperformed musicand played hockey at the nearby community arena and also has ties to the Townehouse venue, where Fauvelle says he wrote Sudbury Saturday Night.