The family of Glenn Canfield wishes to announce his peaceful passing in the early hours of Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the age of 91.
Glenn was born Oct. 10, 1924 to the late Verna and Alvin Canfield in Riding Mountain, Man.
Glenn joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17 and graduated in January, 1944 with his Pilot Wing Standard.
On April 19, 1948, he married the late Margit Engstrom and together they had three children, Richard (Elaine) of Calgary, Alta., Donald (Debbie) of Fort Frances, Ont., and Ellen (Peter) Gagne of Fort Frances, Ont.
Glenn flew a De Havilland Beaver for the MNR from 1951-54. He then gained employment as a pilot for Boise Cascade. His duties included servicing logging camps, mercy flights, aerial photography, and flying corporate staff to surrounding cities and logging operation sites.
Boise upgraded to a Turbo Beaver in 1969. Glenn flew the Turbo from 1969-84, when he retired to Reef Point, Ont. with his wife, Marg.
Glenn and Marg built their permanent home there. Glenn loved living there and enjoyed gardening, mushroom-picking, fishing, and bird-watching. He also was a skilled carpenter/craftsman who took great pride in his work.
Just last fall he would be seen venturing out into the bush with his chain saw in order to cut some wood.
Glenn was a blessing to many people, including his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a mentor and wonderful example to all.
Left to cherish his memory are his three children, Richard (Elaine), Donald (Debbie), and Ellen (Pete) Gagne.
Also surviving are his sisters, Ruth (Dave) Vey of Comox, B.C. and Lillian (Claude) Risley of Winnipeg, Man.; sisters-in-law, Kay Canfield, Carol Engstrom of Manitoba, and Mabel Plymate of Fort Frances; grandchildren, Juliet, Melanie (Derek), Daniel (Danielle), Steven, Laura, Michael (Kerry), Chad (Sheila), Megan (Jos) Risling, and Jessica and Samantha Pearson; and great-grandchildren, Jazmine, Emma, Max, Sophia, Finley, Everlee, Kaydence, Brielle, Cooper, Nicholas, and Dylan.
He also will be fondly remembered by his numerous nieces and nephews.
Glenn was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Marg; brothers, Charles (Suzie) and Edward; sister, Marie (Bob) Hyatt; sisters-in-law, Ely (Mike) Zub and Doris (Lawrence) Calder; brothers-in-law, Eldon Plymate and Enar Engstrom; nephew, Bradley Plymate; and dear friends, Leo and Alice Brown.
As per Glenn’s request, there will be no service. A private family gathering has been held at his home at Reef Point to celebrate his life.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds–and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of–wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
my eager spirit through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind–swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God
—John Gillespie Magee Jr.
GLENN CANFIELD
