Milton Remembers a Remarkable Soul: Honoring the Legacy of the Hadfield Patriarch

As the engine started up — startling the horses at Maze moor Farm — Roger Hadfield’s family and friends took turns flying his beloved Stampe biplane across the field.

It was a touching tribute to the head of the famous "First Family of Canadian Flight," who passed away suddenly on Saturday at the age of 91.

“He was my teacher, parent, leader, guardian, captain, and partner,” his son Dave wrote on Facebook on Monday. The family had gathered at their Milton home to remember him. “The engine started on the first try — maybe a little help from above.”

Hundreds of people from Milton and beyond responded to the post, sharing their condolences and memories of Roger. Many spoke of his passion for flying, his love for his family, and his dedication to history and education.

“He was a remarkable man who inspired not only his family but many others,” said longtime town councillor Colin Best.

Another friend, Garry W. Hess, posted, “May his final flight be with blue skies and the wind at his back.”

One of Dave’s last memories with his father, a former Air Canada pilot, was a recent flight in late May to their family cottage at Stag Island. Dave joked that his dad “hogged the controls and made sure we stayed on course.”

That trip was special — friends had helped install a new engine for the plane. Like Chris Hadfield, the well-known astronaut, Roger’s two other sons — Dave and Phillip — also became pilots for Air Canada.

Roger is survived by his wife Eleanor and five children. The family moved to Milton from Sarnia in the mid-1960s. Roger became known as an expert on airplanes and was passionate about preserving aviation history. One of his proud projects was helping build a working model of a Hucks starter, a device used in World War I to start airplane engines.

Roger and Eleanor often stayed out of the spotlight, but they made a memorable appearance in 2007 when they drove their vintage Ford Model T to the opening of Chris Hadfield Way at Steeles and Highway 25.

Roger started his flying career on a B-17 and finished it with over 25,000 flying hours as a captain for Air Canada. He was also a skilled flight instructor. One well-known story is from 1958, when Roger made an emergency landing in an Aeronca Champ in a farmer’s field near Sarnia because a friend onboard became sick. That landing was the first on what would later become the runway for the Sarnia airport named after his son Chris.

On Monday night, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley posted on Facebook that he was heartbroken by Roger’s passing. He called him “a man of achievement, respect, and decency.”

Funeral details have not been announced yet. The service may be delayed until Chris and his wife return from a speaking tour in England.

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