ROBERT RAYMOND MASSIER

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ROBERT RAYMOND MASSIER After a brief illness, Robert (Bob) Raymond Massier passed away peacefully at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, MB on January 8, 2008. Bob was born in Bruno, SK on July 9, 1923. In 1938 the family moved to Winnipeg where he graduated from Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate Institute in 1940. At age 18 Bob joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he was trained as a pilot, graduating in 1943 from Centrailia, ON. He was then stationed as a flying instructor in Brandon MB until his release in 1945. Bob married Margaret Mary Rimmer in 1945 and shortly thereafter moved to Hudson, ON where he worked as a bush pilot in the winters and tugboat operator in the summers. In 1948 he re-enlisted in the RCAF. Bob was a fighter pilot, senior flying instructor, staff officer and base commander during his career with the Canadian Armed Forces. He served during the changeover to jet aircraft and was one of the original pilots chosen to fly the first supersonic fighters introduced to Canada in 1961. Bob accepted postings throughout Canada, the United States and Europe during his career. Bob attained the rank of L/Col and was base commander at Yorkton, SK at the time of his retirement from active service in 1974. Bob settled in the country near Trenton, ON where he served an additional nine years as the commanding officer for the Central Region, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Flying Program. There he continued with his passion of teaching young men and women to fly until his final retirement in 1983. In 1991 he moved to Winnipeg, MB. Bob was predeceased by his wife Margaret in 1986, his father John in 1964, his mother Leona in 1996 and his brother Jack in 1998. Bob is survived by his three children, Jim Massier, Diane (Bob) Lines, John (Hazel) Massier; his sister Maryalyce Massier; his sisters-in-law, Phyllis Massier, Cecelia (Bill) Templeton; his grandchildren, Robert (Robyn) Graham, Lisa (Dale) Michie, Margaret, Jasmine and Dustin Massier; two great-grandchildren, five nieces and eight nephews. Bob will be fondly remembered for his love of flying, travelling, weather forecasting, story-telling, and love and loyalty to his family. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at Deer Lodge Centre, 2109 Portage Ave., Fr. Mark Tarrant, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Hospital, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2008