Clunkdriver
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 468
Likes: 40
From: Canada
Yes I too had the pleasure of working with Larry. One night in the freight sheds in YMX he slipped off the loading bridge between the aircraft and I pulled him back. With a twinkle in his eye he told me that is not how the seniority system works that I should have pushed. Fair skies and following winds Captain Loretto on your last flight.
Passing of Captain R.G. (Larry) Loretto (Retired)
Please find enclosed an ACPA event, activity or information notice. This notice is being sent by ACPA as a courtesy to members who may be interested.
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Captain R.G. (Larry) Loretto on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the age of 79.Born October 18, 1938 in Redhill, Surrey County, UK, Larry was the youngest of 10 children. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Donna Loretto (née Reid), his daughters Lise Loretto (Rick), Teri Loretto –Valentik (Ivo) and Nina Johnston (the late John). Predeceased by his son David (née Batten). Proud grandfather of Tea, Kira and Uly. Dear brother of Eileen, Michael, David and Maureen. Larry spent most of his life doing what he loved: flying. He completed his glider training with the RAF as a teenager and later served with the RCAF and RNZAF. He was a training Captain for First Air and flew for Trans Australian Airlines. Larry spent the majority of his career with Air Canada, retiring as Captain on the Boeing 767 after 33 years of service. Larry was a dedicated aviation enthusiast and supporter of youth in aviation. He and his wife founded OAS Flight Training in 1993, a school that produced, and continues to produce, hundreds of pilots, many of whom have gone on to follow in Larry’s footsteps. He remained an active pilot, most recently flying his prized 1936 Hornet Moth, and liked to boast that combined age of pilot and plane was over 160 years. Family and friends may visit at Hillcrest Funeral Home 151 Bond Street, Vankleek Hill, Ontario on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Experimental Aircraft Association in support of Young Eagles EAA Chapter 245 1500 B Thomas Argue Road, Carp, Ontario K0A 1LO or https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/contribute-to-eaa would be appreciated. To express your condolences, make a donation or plant a “Tree of Remembrance” for Larry, please visit http://www.hillcrestfuneralhome.ca. On behalf of the Air Canada Pilots Association, our sincere sympathies are extended to Captain Loretto's family, friends and colleagues.
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,172
Likes: 292
From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
What sad news. I enjoyed Larry’s posts and I had exchanged emails with him on occasion. I had been looking forward to meeting him one day if I made a trip “down east”.
I shall think of him every time I pass the Clunks at Calgary International and Nanton.
I shall think of him every time I pass the Clunks at Calgary International and Nanton.
Joined: Oct 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 120
From: Wherever I go, there I am
This is very sad news indeed. I too enjoyed his posts and insights and would often find I had nothing else to contribute to a discussion once he had posted. As a result, I've spent more time on PPRuNe reading rather than posting; attempting to learn from him from a distance.
His posts and responses will be deeply missed.
My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Blue skies Captain Loretto.
His posts and responses will be deeply missed.
My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Blue skies Captain Loretto.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
From: nowhere
I knew Larry as well. He always had a story or three. He gave me information about agricultural spraying as he had some sort of background in that aviation field along with many others. I believe he also flew the Harvard and the CF-100 "Clunck" in the RCAF. When it came to discussion about aerobatic accidents, he said his secret to surviving doing airshows in the Harvard, where one would do loops in front of the crowd, was simple. He didn't attempt to do a perfect circle to satisfy the aerobatic experts, just what was reasonably close to a circle.with the other 99.9% of the audience completely unaware that his loop was not perfect. Mission accomplished and crowd entertained. I know he spent quite a few years in retirement flying a Cessna 310 for a local company although I never did get a chance to see it.
His wife from New Zealand is also a pilot and they have had multiple aircraft over the years ending up with a couple of Champs along with the Hornet Moth. One daughter is a senior cabin crew manager at the local airline while another one has worked her way up from cabin crew to MU-2, DHC-8 and 737. And if they all want to get a weather briefing for a local flight, they can turn on the TV and watch the third daughter give the weather news.
Best wishes.
His wife from New Zealand is also a pilot and they have had multiple aircraft over the years ending up with a couple of Champs along with the Hornet Moth. One daughter is a senior cabin crew manager at the local airline while another one has worked her way up from cabin crew to MU-2, DHC-8 and 737. And if they all want to get a weather briefing for a local flight, they can turn on the TV and watch the third daughter give the weather news.
Best wishes.
