By Andy Cline

One of the three founding directors of YYZ Airport Watch, our friend Peter Ivakitsch has sadly passed away.  He jointly created Toronto’s Airport Watch chapter along with Brian Dunn and Andy Cline in 2004.  Before that he and Brian worked hard on a petition to get GTAA to establish official spotting areas at Pearson. His organizational skills and imagination were a driving force for the formation of YYZ Airport Watch, and he was the administrator and a board member until passing the torch in 2010. 

Peter was a pioneer in another area, he built an impressive website called Canadian Aeronautical Communications (canairadio.com) which is an authoritative site covering many aspects of airband radio locally as well as nationally.  Pete was a radio expert and spent endless hours listening. 

He was very passionate about his aviation hobbies: airband radio, aircraft spotting, and collecting diecast DC-8 models. He was also a very talented musician, playing bass with several cover bands over the years.  His favorite bands were Rush, Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden as the below image by Tom Kim will attest.  

Although he didn’t visit Pearson much in recent years, his sense of humour and laugh will be missed from the spotting scene. Pete was easily recognizable with his trademark pony tail (he’s in the band!), and usually wearing Arsenal Football Club gear. 

Peter tragically suffered a heart attack in his sleep on May 17, 2020, and never awakened. We must thank him for his selfless efforts to improve spotting at YYZ. Rock On and Blue Skies Pete!

We  have some sad news to report. Long time member of YYZ Airport Watch Steve Meaney has passed away.  Steve was a stalwart participant in the group, and was one of the first 100 members.  He had valiantly fought severe medical problems for several years. He could often be seen spotting at Runway 05 on his breaks from work at Princess Auto, and on the weekends with his buddies in his lounge chair with a cooler beside him at Director`s Gate.  His friendly east coast demeanor was contagious, as was his jovial sense of humor.  He will be missed by all who knew him   There are no funeral arrangements, however, a memorial service may take place at a later date.  We will forward details if this transpires.

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we have to announce the passing of YYZ Airport Watch member and former Tour Director Derek Horsey.  Derek fought a long and valiant battle with cancer but unfortunately he succumbed on Saturday October 29th.  Those that knew Derek know what a true gentleman he was, and his characteristic British sense humour and staunch enthusiasm for the hobby were legendary.  Derek, who originally hailed from England had many stories to share of aviation in it’s glory years. His role as Tours Director for YYZ Airport Watch saw him organizing virtually every event we have participated in as a group in recent years.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  We know that you will share in sending our condolences to his family.  Derek has been cremated, and as per his wishes, there are no plans for a funeral or memorial service.  Obituary

 

It is with a degree of sadness we have to report the recent passing of our most senior YYZ Airport Watch member. Christer Sundberg was a good friend and an original member of Airport Watch since 2004, and is very much missed.  He was a proud member of the group, and almost every month racked up the highest ‘hours spent’ reported total of any of our members.  Although he was retired, he considered Airport Watch his job, and spent about 5 or 6 hours a day at YYZ spotting (and sometimes napping!), usually at the north end or the infield. His totals were very impressive, usually logging over 100 hours a month, a fact very much appreciated by our official partners at Peel Regional Police and the GTAA.  Chris had an amazing wit and sense of humour, and although he had a lot of health problems in recent years, he never seemed to let it get him down. He often complained about plants growing too high on the airside of the fence, and obstructing his view, and whenever the airport authority got around to cutting them down, he justifiably took credit for it!  We hope he has an even better vantage point for spotting where he is now!  Our condolences go out to his daughter Anita and Christer’s family and friends.

Here is the note from Anita:

Hi, I am contacting you regarding my father Christer Sundberg.  I just wanted to let you know that he recently passed away at the age of 86.  He was a long time member of airport watch and it meant the world to him.  I know that he spent many hours, days and years at the airport and he loved it.  I don’t know if you know that he was in the Toronto Star on August 15th of 2000.   I am his daughter and we lived together.  I know that someone would call and ask for his hours.  Thank-you for allowing him to spend his days at the airport it really kept him going.   Sincerely, Anita Sundberg