It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Réjean ("Reg") Guy Lanthier, age 78 on February 8th, 2021 at his home in Albert Bridge, Nova Scotia.
Reg was born in Noelville, Ontario in 1942 to Donat and Marianne (née Chartrand). Reg grew up in Noelville with one brother and four sisters and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate High School in Ottawa.
A proud son of Canada, Reg served his country through his entire working life, starting with the Canadian military in 1962. Next to the love of his life, Jacky, his wife of 53 years, being a pilot was what Reg loved most. Early in his Canadian Navy career, Reg flew Grumman CP-121 Tracker ASW aircraft from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure (the "Bonnie") as part of VS 880 squadron. Reg and Jacky traveled the country living in all but three Canadian provinces as they raised their young family. Reg served at bases including CFB Shearwater, CFB Portage la Prairie, CFB Summerside, CFB Chatham, CFB Comox, and CFB Trenton.
After serving as a flight instructor at CFB Portage he was posted to CFB Summerside where Reg became a Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue helicopter pilot - his dream career - flying with multiple squadrons and reaching the rank of Major. Reg piloted the iconic yellow twin-rotor Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador operated by the RCAF at the time. He flew countless successful search and rescue missions over land and sea, in all seasons, and often under harrowing conditions. Along with his fellow pilots and SAR Techs, being a hero was just another day at the office for Reg.
Reg transitioned from military to civil service in 1987 when he worked as an air accident investigator for the Canadian Aviation Safety Board (now TSB). During this time, he handled several high-profile inquiries, including the Dryden inquiry in 1989.
Reg is survived by Jacky (née Kennedy), his daughter Michelle (Gordon), his son Greg (Jennifer), and his beloved grandchildren Ben and Jamie. He is dearly missed by his siblings, including Jacques (Renee), Ginette (Pierre), and Jeaninne (Sam), and numerous nieces and nephews. He is pre-decreased by his sisters Michelle Mann and Liette Millette. Reg will also be missed by life-long best friends Doug and Mary-Ellen Caie and their children Doug, Kristine, and Karen.
Reg and Jacky retired to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in 1998 and have enjoyed 23 wonderful years together on the Mira River near Albert Bridge. Reg enjoyed woodworking, his pontoon boat, and working outdoors.
A celebration of life and interment at the National Cemetery of Canada in Ottawa is planned for the summer months when friends and family can travel and get together safely. Details will be provided at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the organizations that meant the most to Reg:
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, The Salvation Army (Sydney Community Church) or The Cape Breton Cancer Centre
In honour of Reg's service, we salute him with the Royal Canadian Air Force motto: "Per ardua ad astra" (Through adversity to the stars) and a line from one of his favourite Navy marches "Heart of Oak": "For who are so free as the sons of the waves?"
Ready, Aye Ready.