Long-time Labrador aviator Tony Powell is being fondly remembered by his family for the extraordinary life he led. Powell passed away on Sunday at the age of 71 at his residence in Charlottetown, N.L.
“It’s a deeply sorrowful time for my family. It feels like the conclusion of an era. However, there is also much to be grateful for,” expressed his niece, Liberal MHA Lisa Dempster, during an interview on CBC Radio’s program, On the Go.
Dempster highlighted Powell’s exceptional journey, starting as a fishing guide at 17 and transitioning to become a pilot at 20, embarking on a flying career that spanned about five decades. She praised his piloting skills, noting that he logged over 27,000 flight hours across 30 different aircraft and was credited with saving numerous lives during medical evacuations and search and rescue missions.
In his book titled Against the Wind, published in 2020, Powell detailed his extensive career, recounting survival stories including a crash landing in the Labrador wilderness. Despite facing shipwrecks while working on boats and battling cancer at the age of 49, Powell persevered, demonstrating unwavering resilience.
Last December, Powell received a terminal diagnosis with just a month to live, but he fought bravely until the end. Surrounded by his family, he passed away on Sunday evening, having greeted loved ones just hours before his departure.
Dempster shared that many individuals have been reaching out to reminisce about Powell’s impact on the aviation history of the country and his significant role as a true son of Labrador. Powell, who ran as the Liberal candidate for Torngat Mountains in the previous provincial election, was hailed as a cherished figure embodying the essence of Labrador by Labrador Philip Earle, who extended his condolences to Powell’s family.
Earle described Powell as a gifted pilot, devoted father, author, and valued community member, emphasizing his exceptional aviation skills, kindness, and adventurous spirit that defined his life in Labrador’s skies, waters, and wilderness.
The passing of Powell has been mourned as a substantial loss, leaving a void in Labrador’s tight-knit community.
