Willie LASERICH

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:01 am

Willie Laserich passed away today from complications
resulting from a heart attack and by-pass surgery - he
was 75.
Many of you will remember Willie and his famous "I fly
with Willie's Bandits" hats. He was a legend in the
North and although he quite often "skirted"
regulations he was a friend to everyone and was often
referred to as the "Gene Autrey" of the Arctic. There
are few northern residents that he didn't touch in
some way whether it be medi-vacing a family member or
supplying a community with the necessities or a myriad
of other aviation related tasks. Up until two
weeks ago he was flying his Twin Otter and Lear Jet
out of Cambridge Bay. He was truly a legend and will
be missed.
There will be memorial services in Yellowknife and
Cambridge Bay and also, in a few weeks, a service will
be arranged in Edmonton.

fogghorn · Post by **fogghorn** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:09 am

Sorry to hear about that, another arctic legend passes on. I never met the man but heard lots of the stories. I also recall seeing him in a interesting documentary flying his twotter, I think it was a british production titled bush pilots or something.

Snowroller · Post by **Snowroller** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:42 am

Sad news indeed,I had pleasure of chatting with Willie on several occasions over the years from Cambridge Bay to Hall Beach.He had a good way with words & we enjoyed his stops at the stations for coffee & lunch.Condolences to his family & friends.

chancellor · Post by **chancellor** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:14 am

My condolences. Truly a legend and a gentleman.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:35 pm

Sorry to hear that. I've never met him but him seemed like my kind of fellow and I would have loved to work for him some day.

snaproll20 · Post by **snaproll20** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:12 pm

Sorry to hear about Willie.
He was the first Arctic Pilot I bumped into years ago on the ramp at Cam Bay.
First Dunc, now Willie.
My condolences to Paul and the rest of the family.
Snaproll20

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:44 pm

My condolences to Paul and his family. God bless.

bronson · Post by **bronson** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:32 pm

My condolences to Paul and Rene and the family, I'll remember Willie with fondness.

bronson · Post by **bronson** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:46 pm

Charlie Russell had a zillion Villie stories , all of them good , I wish Charlie was still around to post some of them here.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:06 pm

Last time I saw Willie was in Yellowknife when he was flying the DC4 for Pelly Bay Co-Op. must have been around 1972 or so.

Soon all the legends will have gone.....

bigsky · Post by **bigsky** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:21 pm

I first met Willie in Inuvik, spring of '79.
He was flying a DC-4. It had a mural painted on the side of it, if I remember correctly it was a mural of a skeleton driving a stage-coach with white horses.

I wonder if there are any pictures of that mural around?

I think the aircraft also had all the flags of all the countries it had flown into.

I wonder if Willie is driving that stage coach now!!

There have been many articles written about this man. He will be missed by all in the Arctic.

bmc · Post by **bmc** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:26 am

Another legend passes on. I still have my "I Fly with Willie's Bandit's" hat.

Sad to see two legends go in such a short time. Condolences to family and friends (of which there are many)

flyinggirl · Post by **flyinggirl** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:21 am

Sad news indeed.
Condolences to Paul and his family.

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:44 am

Condolences to all from me as well. I met Willie and Paul both when I flew out of YZF.

blewhead · Post by **blewhead** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:32 pm

[quote="bigsky"]I first met Willie in Inuvik, spring of '79.
He was flying a DC-4. It had a mural painted on the side of it, if I remember correctly it was a mural of a skeleton driving a stage-coach with white horses.

I wonder if there are any pictures of that mural around?

I think the aircraft also had all the flags of all the countries it had flown into.

I wonder if Willie is driving that stage coach now!!

It was actually a DC-6. Here is a link to it.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0 ... 219&size=L

bigsky · Post by **bigsky** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:50 pm

blewhead wrote:
bigsky wrote:I first met Willie in Inuvik, spring of '79.
He was flying a DC-4. It had a mural painted on the side of it, if I remember correctly it was a mural of a skeleton driving a stage-coach with white horses.

I wonder if there are any pictures of that mural around?

I think the aircraft also had all the flags of all the countries it had flown into.

I wonder if Willie is driving that stage coach now!!

It was actually a DC-6. Here is a link to it.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0 ... 219&size=L

Guess I had a few of the details wrong..mind you it was 27 years ago...

For the young pups, and for some of the old boys here is a good read about the man...

http://www.imperialoil.ca/canada-englis ... willy.html

nimbostratus · Post by **nimbostratus** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:21 am

Last time I saw Willie was in Yellowknife when he was flying the DC4 for Pelly Bay Co-Op. must have been around 1972 or so.

That doesn't happen to be the same one that is sitting in the dump up at Pelly Bay (after a most unfortunate landing) does it?

My condolences to the Laserich family. Never met Willie (have met Paul) but heard nothing but good from everyone up north. I'm sure a lot of people up there are feeling the loss...

Nimbo

Wonderdog · Post by **Wonderdog** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:21 pm

My condolences to the Laserich family.
Keep it level, and straight Paul.

aurora · Post by **aurora** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:46 pm

Many condolences to Marge (Mum), Paul, Rene, Joanne, and the rest of the Laserich family.
The movie was called "by the seat of the pants" I believe, I watched it once but have never been able to find a copy on the world wide web.
If anyone finds the movie please post a link or instructions in this thread.
Thanks
Willy was a legend and will be sorely missed.

orbit · Post by **orbit** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:26 pm

My condolences to Paul and Rene and the family, a great guy....Willie

DA900 · Post by **DA900** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:58 pm

Edmonton Journal Obituary

LASERICH, A. William (Willie) Per Ardua Ad Astra (Through Struggles to the Stars) On November 12th, 2007, William passed away at the age of 75. He is survived by Margaret Rose, his wife of almost 50 years, his sons; Paul and Rene,his daughters; Bessie and Joann as wellas grandchildren; Jesce, Bryan, Tamalyn, Michelle and "Stepson";Ian Blewett. Predeceasing William his brother; Hans, sisters; Heidel and Margot. Brothers and sisters; Winfried, Horst, Paul, Gunther, Annaliese, Irmgard, Ursula, Eva as well as family in Germany survive him. Nephew Rainer and family in California share this loss with the Laserich family as well as extended family and friends around the world. He will be remembered fondly by the Adlair Aviation Flight Crew, Flight Nurses and Staff, both past and present. His passing is felt by the People of the Kitikmeot Region in Nunavut and in the Aviation industry. Memorial Services to Celebrate his Life will be held both at the Adlair Aviation Hangar in Yellowknife, NT on Wednesday, November 21st and at the Luke Novoligak Community Hall in Cambridge Bay on November 23rd at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Local Food Banks or C.A.S.A.R.A. Our Family wishes to thank Med Flight, the Staff at the Cambridge Bay Health Center, Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, Royal Alexandra and the University Hospital in Edmonton. Condolences may be sent to Box 111, Cambridge Bay, NU, X0B 0C0. "In Life Loved and Honored, In Death Remembered"

Guest Book
http://www.legacy.com/can-edmonton/GB/G ... d=98071403

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:50 pm

Sad to see another great person and legence pass on.

My condolences and deepest sympathies to friends and families.

I hope the next generation gets the pleasure of dealing with someone equally resourceful and respectful!

Blue skies!

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:13 pm

I'm really sorry to hear it. He was a gentleman AND a legend.
JC

blewhead · Post by **blewhead** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:46 pm

Memorial was very nice in YZF yesterday. I still can't believe he's gone.

oldncold · Post by **oldncold** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:41 am

it was a cold jan evening serveral yrs ago and i had the opportunity to
fly up on the lear to cambridge bay nu. had dinner at his house the wind was howling and he made everyone feel at ease.

the next morning I assisted rene getting the oldest ( at the time 100king air in canada ) ready for its trip to yzf and its hot section inspection. while enroute in the kingair heard willie say he 'had a slight problem and had shut down the right engine on the lear and was requesting no holding for the approach into yzf" ( common then due to no terminal radar or updated enroute radar ) about 2 hrs later in the hangar in yzf I looked into the right engine of the lear and the back section was a mess of twisted metal . you could hear willie having words with engine overhaul
shop they sure were not as pleasant as the dinner converstation the previous night. I assisted rene on the hot section and then left
later that week . I haven't forgotten that week it was my first time in the lear and the generousity of the lazeric family . BEST WISHES TO PAUL AND RENE and families

if there are any northern gps approaches planned maybe ie ycb
or maybe the airport in ycb could be remaned after him that would be a fine way to remember a great aviator and lifelong supporter of the north.