Pro wrestling legend, ex-champion dead at 89: ‘His contributions spanned generations’

EntertainmentPro wrestling legend Paul LeDuc has died. THE SAGINAW NEWSBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comProfessional wrestling legend Paul LeDuc has died.He was 89.“Sad news in the world of wrestling,” author Pat Laprade wrote on X. “Former wrestler and promoter Paul Leduc, one of the two famous Leduc brothers, passed away this morning at the age of 89. Former Grand-Prix Wrestling tag team champion, he also got married in the ring in Montreal in 1971 and faced off against the Vachon brothers in front of the largest crowd ever recorded for a wrestling event in Quebec. “In 2000, he founded his own promotion, the FLQ, which remained active for more than two decades,” Laprade added. “My deepest condolences to his sons, Carl and Yan, to his daughter, Kim, as well as his loved ones.”Paul LeDuc teamed with his friend, Michael Pigeon, who wrestled under the name Jos LeDuc. The two formed the LeDuc brothers in 1957. He was just 18 at the time. The LeDucs had an impressive run in the ring, winning that Grand-Prix title listed by Laprade, and in 1973, when they were known as the Canadian Lumberjacks in Florida, they defeated Dusty Rhodes and Dick Slater to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship.LeDuc retired in 1978.His tag-team partner, Pigeon, died in 1999 at the age of 54.“The Cauliflower Alley Club is saddened to learn of the passing of Paul LeDuc, a respected and enduring figure in Quebec professional wrestling,” the organization wrote on Facebook. “From his legendary tag team with Jos LeDuc to his lifelong dedication to independent wrestling, Paul left an indelible mark on the industry he loved. His contributions spanned generations, and his passion for professional wrestling remained with him throughout his life.“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Paul’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched. Rest in peace, Paul!”Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...