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RICARDO GREGORY ANDERTON
Born: Jun 13, 1941
Date of Passing: Oct 07, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRICARDO GREGORY ANDERTON
To Greg from Maria
It was love at first sight when we met on an airplane 28 years ago. You were the captain and I was a flight attendant. We have been together ever since. When we married a year later my life overflowed with joy every day with your love, your kindness, your caring, and your total devotion to me and to our marriage. We shared a wonderful life together and made many beautiful memories that will last forever.
You were born in Comox to Wilfred Leo Anderton and Audrey (Mellado) Anderton and have two sisters, Marjorie Gibson and Audrey Craig. Living on the west coast you enjoyed being outdoors hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, sailing, and all sports, especially football. Trains were a big part of your life and you wanted to be an engineer but became an airline pilot instead.
Your aviation career began in 1962 when you joined the RCAF and trained as a navigator in Winnipeg. Upon completion of your training in 1963 you were based in Greenwood, Nova Scotia with short stints at other bases. In 1968 you were hired as a navigator for Pacific Western Airlines based in Vancouver. When you realized that navigators were being phased out in commercial aviation you took a leave from the airline and trained to become a pilot. You had many interesting experiences flying to different parts of the world with PWA and Canadian Airlines. You flew many different aircraft and retired as a captain on the Boeing 767 in 2000 at the time of the merger with Canadian and Air Canada. During your flying career you became a certified yacht master so that you could teach sailing on your days off and had numerous adventures sailing around Vancouver Island with your students and friends.
Retirement in Winnipeg brought you many pleasures. You had the time to further your already exceptional culinary skills and create your own recipes. You enjoyed woodworking, gardening for hummingbirds and butterflies, birdwatching and going for long walks with our dogs. Your love for classical music was unbounded and you read books of all genres. Your favourite magazines were Scientific American and Canadian History. You loved collecting and poring over maps.
A quiet man, you seldom spoke, but when you did, people listened intently to what you had to say. Your mind was brilliant, your knowledge vast. You are so missed by everyone who knows and loves you. Being in your presence has enriched our lives and we will love you and cherish you forever. Maria, Troy, Angelina, Olive and Renee Calleran, Marjorie Gibson, Audrey Craig and their families, cousins and friends.
Our heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful people at the Grace Hospital, the nurses, the healthcare aides, the housekeeping staff, everyone involved, for the kind, compassionate care they gave Greg during his two months there. A very special thank you to Dr. George and Dr. Joshua, two amazing doctors who do their utmost to help their patients.
Thank you also to Mark and Rachel at Wojck’s for their kindness and compassion in helping us through our loss.
If anyone wishes to make a donation to honour Greg’s memory, please consider the Grace Hospital Foundation which is currently fundraising to build a new ICU.
Sincere thanks also to friends and neighbours for the food, the cards, the flowers, the condolences and the many offers of support. It means so much knowing that people care.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 21, 2023
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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Dear Greg, After being primarily raised by my mother and grandmother, I wasn't going to accept a man into my mother's life too easily. When she said she met a pilot at work and I should meet him, I picked you up with my mom at the hotel on your Winnipeg layover and met you for the first time as I drove you to our home. You impressed me with your humor and charm within the 1st few minutes. I was learning how to fly with the dream of being an Airline Pilot myself and you guided me every step of the way. Here we are 28 years later and I don't know where the time went. You made my mother very happy for the next almost 3 decades, got a chance to travel and live life to the fullest, and even got a chance to have a dog (or two). Also, as a Training Captain on the Boeing 737 myself now, I consistently think of you and what you taught me. You were a talented and smart man. One that will be hard to live up to for anyone and will be deeply and forever missed. Godspeed. Love your stepson, Troy - Posted by: Troy Calleran (Step son) on: Nov 09, 2023
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Hi Maria I am so sorry for your loss I offer you my condolences. Greg and I flew the 737 and Convair. I remember Greg as a brilliant person everything he did was thorough never leaving anything to guesswork. We enjoyed the same kinds of food and it showed. We had a lot of fun and Greg will certainly be missed by all that knew him as I did. Stan Fleming - Posted by: Stan Fleming (fellow pilot) on: Oct 30, 2023
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I met Greg in 1969 when he was navigating Hercules aircraft with Pacific Western Airlines. He was an excellent navigator who also guided our Boeing 707 passenger charter aircraft. His transition to pilot was a requirement he faced and accomplished when navigators were no longer needed. He managed that and continued flying, ending his airline career as an aircraft captain. It was always a pleasure to work with him and it is with sadness that I note his passing. RIP Greg. Bob Mutter - Posted by: Bob Mutter (Fellow retired airline pilot.) on: Oct 27, 2023
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SIncere condolences to Maria on the loss of her soulmate Greg. I first met him when he came out to Winnipeg to give us (the pilots of Transair) an introduction to Pacific Western Airlines after the their purchase of our company. He was a welcoming person at a difficult time and a great ambassador. While I never flew with Greg, I did get to know him better after he and Maria were married and lived in Winnipeg. Greg called Maria his "Princess", and it was easy to see the joy in his saying it. Maria and Troy, you will miss him and soon enough will smile at his memory. Rick and Judy Lovelace - Posted by: RickLovelace (friends) on: Oct 27, 2023
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So sorry for your loss Maria and family. I will miss the great dinners we had with Greg and you. He was an excellent cook and very creative. I still have some of his recipes. He had many different opinions about life in general. May the memories last forever! Friend and co worker Vera cooley - Posted by: Vera Cooley (Friend) on: Oct 26, 2023
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Dear Maria, Sending you my condolences on Greg’s passing. He was a great guy. I am so glad we dropped in to see you that summer we went back to Ontario. I’ll really miss his jovial demeanour and his unique way of explaining his view on life in general. We hit it off the first day we got together. That year I was a training captain was when we met. We had two days of 8 landings each, and when the flight was over we were friends forever. I’m going to miss his melodious voice, and his sense of humour and the many laughs we had over a beer or a glass of wine, and in the cockpit. Maria, I know the grief and pain that you’re feeling right now, and believe me it will get easier. They say time heals all, but we will never forget him. Sending you lots of love, Gary Swayne - Posted by: Gary Swayne (Lifelong friend) on: Oct 25, 2023
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Hi Maria I am very sorry to hear about Greg, hope you the best. - Posted by: Ted Drummond (Friend) on: Oct 25, 2023
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Our condolences to Greg’s extended Gene pool. Greg was a great guy and did lots over the years to advance our pay and benefits during the very tough years in the airline industry. Rest in peace Greg on the otherside… - Posted by: Frank&Patti LATCHFORD (PWA Pilot ) on: Oct 24, 2023
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