John Bell | In Memorium | July 2, 1936 – July 20, 2026

John passed away on the morning of July 20, 2026, at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He was 90 years old.

John enjoyed a distinguished 35-year career as a pilot with Air Canada before his retirement. During his time with the airline, he flew the DC-3, Viscount, DC-8, Boeing 747, and Lockheed L-1011. Before joining Air Canada, John served with the RCAF Reserve at Downsview, where he flew the T-33, Vampire, and even logged a few memorable hours in the legendary P-51 Mustang.

Beyond his passion for aviation—including flying radio-controlled model aircraft—John had many other interests. For many years, he raced his sailboat at the Oakville Yacht Club, was a highly skilled machinist, and an accomplished bridge player.

John was known for his quick wit, warm sense of humor, and genuine friendship. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.