ABOVE: Toronto Maple Leafs give a gift to fans off the ice. Carey Marsden reports.

TORONTO – “We were completely floored,” said Nick Penner, the grandson to a long-time Leafs season ticket holder after a simple gesture on behalf of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“On behalf of the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization, please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of your father, Paul,” the letter reads. Tweet This

The letter was sent by Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Dave Nonis to the family of a longtime season ticket holder who recently passed away.

“I understand your father was a long-time and loyal Leafs fan, as well as a season seat holder for more than 25 years, and that the two of you were able to share many special memories together cheering on the team. Hockey offers a fantastic bond between Canadian fathers and sons and we hope that the memories you shared together at Leafs games will comfort you and your family during this difficult time. Again, our deepest sympathies; our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.” Tweet This

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The letter was referencing Nick Penner’s grandfather Paul. Nick posted the letter on the Reddit.com subreddit /r/leafs where it sparked both sympathy and discussion.

The Maple Leafs organization sent the letter as a ‘small gesture’ to the family, according to Dave Haggith the ‎senior director of communications at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).

“Well, the Leafs have a very close relationship with our fans and in this case, the son of a long-time leafs season ticket holder. This was just a small gesture to let the family know that he will be missed, and to thank him for all of his support over the years,” he said.

Paul Penner had been a season ticket holder for more than 25 years and went to as many games as he could. His grandson, Nick, said his family was shocked by the letter.

“We were completely floored. We didn’t expect anything like this, any recognition of any kind,” he said. “He cared for the Leafs for a lot of years and to see them reach out and show that they cared about him too as a person was an incredible gesture.”

But reaching out to fans is something the Leafs organization has done for a long time, Haggith said. But with the advent of social media sites like Reddit, the broader community is starting to take notice.

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“Well our community group does a lot of work and it’s not just season ticket holder, its people who are sick, fans who are sick, children who are ill. It’s very common that we have this interaction,” he said. “In this day and age it’s starting to show up online and such but it’s been going on for many years.”

After the letter was posted online, fans began to express sympathy while also complimenting MLSE.

A photo of the letter which was posted on Reddit.com. October 17, 2013. Handout / Nick Penner

User Sundin13 wrote on Reddit: “Sorry for your loss. Wow, that is a truly amazing story! Compare that with the way the team treated Davey Keon and you have to realize we have turned from classless to classy.”

And user tdmj wrote: “Good to see our buds showing some class. Sorry on the passing of your Grandfather.”

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The Leafs are currently in first place in the Atlantic Divison, winning six of their first seven games; the best start for the Leafs since 1993.

And Penner said his grandfather, in one of the last conversations they had together, suggested it could be “our year.”

“We were talking about this year’s team and he was a really big fan. He thought our goaltenders were both great; he was a big James Reimer fan. He liked the fact that we brought on Clarkson, and he told me that, people will call him crazy, but he thought that this just could be our year. So it’s sad that he won’t be around to see it, but I think they’re getting a little extra help from above now.”

– With files from Carey Marsden