It is with great sadness the Calgary Stampeders learned of the death of Dr. Frank Lodato. He was 95.

Affectionately known as “Dr. Frank” by his friends, Lodato worked extensively with the Stampeders over the years and provided guidance and support for players such as Allen Pitts, Alondra Johnson, Travis Moore, Dave Sapunjis, Mark McLoughlin, Danny Barrett, Vince Danielsen, Tony Stewart, Burke Dales and current kicker Rene Paredes.

“I’m very saddened to hear of Dr. Frank’s passing,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “He was a great friend and a kind man who very generously gave of his time to help others. Dr. Frank was of immeasurable assistance to so many members of the Stampeders organization over the years. The Stampeders offer their condolences to his wife Pat and all of his family and friends.”

“I’m extremely saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Frank,” said Paredes. “He was a huge part of my career and I will miss my weekly talks with Doc. My condolences to his wife Pat and the rest of his family.”

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native’s association with the CFL started in 1983 when he worked with the Montreal Concordes, whose coaching staff included Wally Buono. When Buono became the Stampeders’ head coach in 1990, Lodato was brought in as the team’s sports psychologist. Hufnagel was on Buono’s staff at the time and later made use of Lodato’s services when he became head coach and general manager of the Arena Football League’s New Jersey Red Dogs in 1997 and in 2008 when he returned to the Stamps as head coach and GM.

Lodato continued to work with Buono’s BC Lions and individual players such as Paredes through the end of the 2018 season.

In addition to his work with football teams in both Canada and the U.S., Lodato was associated with the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings for 13 years and also provided his services to the Boston Bruins during their Stanley Cup-winning season in 2011.