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In Memory of

Pierre Verhelst

1955 - 2026

Celia Ross lit a candle

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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Mes condoléances à la famille de Pierre Verhelst. Il était toujours de bonne humeur, toujours au courant de ce qui se passait dans notre communauté et dans notre pays, toujours impliqué dans de bonnes causes. De la part de nous tous dans le NPD de Sault-Ste-Marie, un grand merci à Pierre - tu vas nous manquer. Célia Ross,

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Normand Hamel lit a candle

Saturday, January 24, 2026

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To the Verhelst family my deepest condolences. I heard about and met Pierre on several occasions. The first time I heard about Pierre was when I became a student at L’École secondaire Algonquin in North Bay. The FROG radio program. On another occasion in North Bay was when I was in waiting between semesters comptemplating leaving the aircraft maintenance program at Canadore College when he encouraged me to keep going,maintained course and beat the challenges I was facing which help me graduate. A truly a professional individual. A on top of his game artist in the world of avionics. He was a beacon of light for me to follow whenever I’ve encountered challenging avionic or electrical issues on the King Air B-350’s when I was the new kid on the block in the flight executive maintenance's department of the MNR air service in the late 2000’s. Pierre moved on by taking a hiatus from the aviation industry and headed as our union activist playing several key roles he held within the OPSEU cadre representing our local 605 leading up to his retirement. Rest in peace Pierre. You will be missed. Normand Hamel

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Mary Collier posted a condolence

Monday, January 19, 2026

I was so very sorry to hear of Pierre's passing. I met Pierre almost as soon as I started working at the Bushplane in 2022. I couldn't have asked for a better bushplane mentor. His aviation knowledge was vast but his network of friends and colleagues was even greater. He seemed to have a story about everyone he had ever met, and he probably had their phone number. He was my first call if I had a research question and was absolutely dogged in pursuit of the facts. I will miss his visits to the library and listening to his old stories and new discoveries. He said it was time off my purgatory, but it was always a pleasure.

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Tara Maszczakiewicz posted a condolence

Monday, January 19, 2026

Pierre was Area Council Chair when I first joined OPSEU/SEFPO. He was a quintessential activist, always willing to share his experiences with new activists and a friendly face at OPSEU events. I appreciated the time he took to share his experiences out on the picket line creating good trouble and standing up for workers. Rest well, brother, you have certainly earned it.

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Patty lit a candle

Sunday, January 18, 2026

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Pierre was one of a kind. He was thorough and dedicated to his family and any project he took on. We had many years together as part of OPSEU local 605. You could always count on Pierre. He would call out of the blue and saw let's do lunch. It was always the Sun Kwong Gardens. He was proud of his children and always kept us up to date on their lives. He worried about the love of his life Kathy when she was sick. He was a true family man. I will miss him but will remember him always and have so many memories. My heart and prayers go out out to Kathy, Tyler, Michelle and Marissa. Heaven has gained a special angel.

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Johanne Brousseau posted a condolence

Saturday, January 17, 2026

I am sad to hear of Pierre's passing, my first memory of Pierre is of hearing his voice down the hallways of Ecole secondaire Algonquin, a cheerful mornning voice as Pierre was the radio announcer of the school's radio station F.R.O.G. later I could hear his voice as he walked the hallway of Lee Jeans. Pierre was the new hire , he was in charge of tweeking, fixing any issues that arised with the Gerber System, new computerized technology back then to cut the garments . As the pattern maker I was the one didigitizing the patterns for the system. Pierre always had a cheerful comment whenever walking by the Design Dept. If my memory serves me right Pierre dated a young lady from the front office named Kathy . My condolences Kathy to you and your family Repose en paix Pierre

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Bob Elliott lit a candle

Friday, January 16, 2026

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Kathy and Family, I am sorry to hear of Pierre's passing. I have the pleasure of knowing Pierre as a member of the Bushplane Museum. We got to share a few stories from time to time. His work as a founding member is recognized and appreciated. He was persistent in the pursuit of all the facts. His successful search for the the story of the history of water bombing is an example. I appreciate his work on the restoration of the Bell Helicopter. It reminds me of the times I got to work with machines like that and the people that maintained and flew them. My condolences.

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Ron Langer posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Kathy, Michelle, Marissa, Tyler and family and friends. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband and father. Thank you for sharing him with so many communities. Pierre was a cherished lovable dear friend whose wisdom, loyalty and amazing humour touched many. We became friends and colleagues in 2012 as teammates on a negotiating team and bonded to become close throughout our respective retirements. I was blessed to know Pierre, will miss him greatly but his memory indeed is a blessing. Rest in Peace and Power mon cher ami.

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Jeff Arbus posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Pierre’s energy and positive thinking was an inspiration for me. May his memory be a blessing.

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Ken Smith uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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So sad to hear about Pierre’s passing. We had a long but fleeting friendship starting at Canadore in the late 70s and continuing whenever our aviation paths crossed. Such was the life of aviation. And to again connect this year when our son started working at the Bushplane Museum was wonderful. He was the best mentor you could ask for. 73 old friend

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Maria Sassos posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

To you Kathy, your children Michelle, Marissa, Tyler and all the family, My condolences for the passing away of Pierre. I was deeply saddened to hear this news. During my time in the Sault over the past year I became acquainted with you Kathy and your wonderful husband, both of you a joy to know. He was a wealth of knowledge and such a gusto for life with a glint in his eye.. A very caring and sincere man One occasion I had an outing to Shingwalk College with him where he had so much information to share, and proud of his heritage. He was so happy with all his paw friends, the ones I knew the most was Vinny (also in the world above) and Maisy. They were so happy to see him. They felt his love for them A true joy to watch and made my stay in the Sault extra special. Will be back to visit and reminisce. Take care and know that others feel your pain and give you the compassion and love you need at this time. Maria

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Henry Kling posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Dear Kathy and family; We are very sorry to hear the news of your loss of your husband Pierre. I was able recently to have a great visit with Pierre at the Bushplane Heritage Days this past fall. I remember interviewing Pierre for a job at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Air Service. At that time I was the Avionics Supervisor. Pierre was well versed in the operation of Avionics equipment, and was selected as our replacement. He was able to fit in the MNR Air Service. He was also part of the operation of converting the Trackers into an water/chemical bomber. Sending our prayers and thoughts to you and the family. Henry and Margaret Kling.

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Jamie Sargent lit a candle

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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I believe that Pierre should get the much deserved credit as the very first person to launch the Bushplane Museum in the old OPAS hangar on the St. Mary’s River waterfront in Sault Ste. Marie. Pierre approached me in 1988 on one of my very first days as the new Assistant Director of Aviation Services at the OMNR asking if he could use a small area within the hangar to display some historical OPAS artifacts. These included the original aircraft sketches incorporated in the book “The Firebirds” which celebrated the history of the Air Service during its first 50 years. I naively said “sure”. Within about a year Pierre’s expansion of his museum area was so aggressive that the Aviation Services program had no choice but to move out of the old waterfront hangar to a new facility at the Sault Ste. Marie airport. The fledgling museum quickly consumed the entire historical complex. Pierre’s incredible energy in support of the Bushplane Museum continued for the rest of his life. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and his Bell 47 helicopter rebuild are very fitting tributes to his legacy as an Air Service enthusiast and aviation historian. Well done Pierre!

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Jean-Marie Wissell posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

En mon nom et au nom de mon épouse Christine, je tiens à exprimer nos sincères condoléances à toute la famille de notre amis si tristement disparu. Jean-Marie Wissell (et Christine Viens)

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Dick Hetrick posted a condolence

Thursday, January 15, 2026

I got to know Pierre through his work at the Bushplane Museum. He was a very fine man who always had time to answer the many questions that I and others posed to him over the years. The museum will always be thankful for all his investigative pursuits that he undertook to seek clarity and truth on the various subjects that he pursued. His knowledge and passion for anything to do with the Air Service was legendary. He had a warm, casual and disarming way about him that endeared everyone to him. In short, we lost a very fine man who left a lasting impression on me and other staff and volunteer members at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. RIP Pierre.

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Bob Sanders lit a candle

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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My sincere condolences to the entire Verhelst Family. Pierre's passing has really rocked me. We worked together both in Montreal (Canadian Helicopters) and with the Air Service in Sault Ste Marie for a good many years. I was asked to work on helicopter ODM , the Bell Helicopter D1 in the museum when Pierre was not available but turned down the request. This was Pierre's machine and only he should finish it I replied to the requestor. My door was always open and will remain open to Pierre! RIP my friend! Bob Sanders

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Kevin O'Grady posted a condolence

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Kathy and family, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Kevin and Lyne O'Grady Ottawa, ON.

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The family of Pierre Verhelst uploaded a photo

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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