Obituary for Stanley Dell

Stanley  Dell
DELL, Stanley
Passed away peacefully at the Muskoka Shores in Gravenhurst on Saturday, October 15, 2016, a month before his 87th birthday. Stanley Dell beloved husband of the late Sheila Jean Dell (nee Gustavson). Beloved father of Gary Dell (Jill Goodman) of North Carolina, Nancy (Douglas) Armit of Bracebridge and Carol Dell (Clayton Tucker) of Guelph. Beloved grandfather of Kristofor and Sarah Armit, Keith, James and Megan Dell. Great grandfather of Aiyanna Armit. Beloved brother of Elizabeth (Tony) Chalupa of Burlington and Paul (Judy) Dell of Grimsby, Ont. Beloved brother-in-law of Bob Gustavson (Velma) of Strasbourg, Sask. Predeceased by his brother-in-law Hilding Gustavson and Joyce of Calgary. Stan will also be missed by his nieces and nephews.
Stan was born at Kississing Lake, Manitoba where the only way in & out was by float plane. This was the beginning of his interest with planes. After finishing high school in Burlington Ontario he took a course for automobile mechanics. While on an evening call in the company Jeep where he was working as a mechanic, the Jeep slid on black ice and went off the road pinning his ankle against a light standard. The rehab building he attended was located next door to hangers where some planes were kept. This ignited once again his passion for planes. He took on jobs in the hanger cleaning the planes and slept on a cot in the hanger eating left over airplane food to save money to afford flying lessons. As opportunities became known to him, he moved to Quebec starting out first as an airplane mechanic and then becoming a bush pilot out of northern Quebec & Labrador. In 1950 he was hired by Trans Canada Airlines after finishing first in their flying course to begin his career in his dream job. He was happiest flying the line for nearly 40 years and as the saying goes, he never worked a day in his life.
In keeping with Mr. Dell’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no services held. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Stan’s family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Daniel and to the wonderful staff at the Muskoka Shores for the love and compassionate care he received during the past three years. Messages of condolence can be left for the family at www.cavillfuneralhome.com