August 19, 1939 - January 29, 2022
It is with the greatest of sorrow that we announce the passing of Gary Grant Thomson in his 82nd year at the F. J. Davey Home, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on January 29th, 2022.
Gary "Butch" Thomson was born August 19th, 1939 in Stratford, Ontario to Bert and Francis (nee Southam) Thomson. Gary spent his youth in Hornepayne, Capreol, and Onaping, Ontario. After graduation from Levack High School he procured an electrician's ticket at the mines in Sudbury in order to pay for his commercial pilot's training. Once he had his pilot's licence in hand there was no stopping him and in 1969 he realised his dream of flying for The Department of Lands and Forests during his career with the MNR he literally flew from coast to coast to coast of this country and there was not really any place that he had not flown to in Ontario's far north. Whether it was an urgent medivac flight, water bombing a forest fire, flying moose plots or fuel drums up to the coast Gary was happiest at the controls of a plane, especially his DHC-3 Otter. Flying was Gary's life long passion and he was one of the last true bush pilots in Northern Ontario. It was that love of bush flying that led Gary down the path to becoming one of the founding fathers of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste Marie.
Gary is predeceased by his wife and high school sweetheart Eleanor Ray (nee Clark), his parents Bert and Francis "Billy" Thomson, his sister Shirley "Gravel" and his brother Barry "Bo".
He is survived by his children Eleanor Ann (Pete), Thomas (Ruth) and James. He is also survived by his sister Pamela as well as five grandchildren Garry "Hoser"(Caroline), Timothy(Anne), Aimee(Gordon), Jori(Jessica) and Arnold and one brand new great grandbaby Benoît James.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Driftwood Beach and Birch Lane at the Davey Home for providing such excellent care to Gary. Thank you to the kind and helpful people at the Alzheimer Society for their guidance and support and thank you to all the health care providers who looked after Gary these past few years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations (Payable by cheque or online) to the F.J. Davey Home or the Alzheimer Society would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions there will be no service. Interment to be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery Midland, Ontario. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E., 705-759-2522). Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.