ULYSSES STANLEY WAGNER

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ULYSSES STANLEY WAGNER Pioneer Bush Pilot, Airline Executive and Olympian Peacefully, on October 11, 2002 in his 95th year. Stan was born in Pueblo, Colorado on March 2, 1908. Stan was the son of Louis and Wilhelmina (Winkler) Wagner. Stans schooling was at Laura Secord, Greenway and Kelvin. During his first year of studying chartered accountancy Stan decided on a career change and began training as a pilot during which time he was employed with the Ford Motor Company in Winnipeg and in Deerborn, Michigan. Stans flying lessons were at Western Canada Airways Flight School in Kirkfield Park and he was the last surviving graduate of the original 1927 class. Stan was also an original member of the Winnipeg Flying Club. Stan was also a superb athlete and was a member of the "Winnipegs", the City Senior Hockey Team which won the Allen Cup and later, the gold medals in Hockey at the third Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York in 1932. Stan was also the last surviving member of this team and in 1987 was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Stans life involved air transport and in 1931 he formed Northern Air Transport flying passengers and supplies to Manitoba mines and communities. In 1934 he joined Canadian Airways Limited as senior pilot/base manager at Kenora, ON. Under his management, service to Red Lake area was greatly expanded. Stan became superintendent at Sioux Lookout in 1938 and was transferred to Canadian Pacific Airlines central division in 1942. Six years later Stan became the first employee of Central Northern Airways, which later became TransAir Limited. He held various positions before being named General Manager and Vice President of Operations. Stan was a founder, a leader and life member of Western Canada Aviation Museum. In Stans honour a lake south of Lynn Lake was named Wagner Lake. Stan was married to Marie Souchan in 1935 and she predeceased him in January, 1987. Stan was also predeceased by his brother Lloyd and sisters, Minetta, Muriel and Mildred and is survived by nieces, nephews and many friends. Stan was buried in the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery on Friday, October 18 and a memorial service was held at the Sturgeon Creek United Church on Saturday, October 19 at which time Stans longtime friend John Richthammer delivered the eulogy.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 26, 2002