Obituary of Ronald Edward Chafe

Ronald Edward Chafe, 91 of Ottawa, Ontario, Passed peacefully away on June 26, 2020 in the presence of family. Born in Newfoundland, his childhood years were spent in St. John’s. He moved to Gander in the late 1940’s at the start of a new era in aviation. He was an early pioneer of air traffic control as the Gander airport assumed its leading role in trans-oceanic flight. His career provided him with much delight through various postings for the federal Ministry of Transportation. He enjoyed time in Washington DC in the late 1970’s as liaison officer for the Canadian Government to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He subsequently returned to Gander in the early 80’s to assume the role of Chief Controller at the Gander Center and proudly oversaw the move from the old center at the airport to the new center in town. A move to Ottawa followed in the mid 80’s as Superintendent of Canadian Airspace and he retired from the federal civil service there. Retirement was not for him as he then assumed the position of President and CEO of the Canadian Business Aircraft Association (CBAA) in the private sector of aviation. He served as the International Liaison Officer to the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and in June of 1991 was appointed to The Order of the Silk Scarf as a member of the elite fellowship of aviation. After a second retirement, he continued in several consulting and advisory roles to various sectors of the aviation realm.An avid gardener, in retirement, he created showcase landscapes on an annual basis. A proud Newfoundlander through and through, he loved his heritage and shared his love for all things Newfoundland with all those he came in contact and would lend him an ear.He is survived by his wife Eleanor of Ottawa and his sister Loretta of Mercy Convent, St John’s Nfld. Forever to be missed by his children: Weldon of Richmond, Virginia, Ann of St John’s, Fons and Susan in Edmonton, Alberta and their mother Betty Perry of St. John’s. Stepdaughters Nancy of Toronto and Jennifer of Ottawa. Grand pa will be missed by 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren all of whom he adored.The family would like to gratefully acknowledge with thanks the contributions of Fred Chafe and family, as well as Fiona Grant and Bruce Sheppard for the unending support, care and companionship they provided at any hour of the day or night when called upon. As well thanks to Harry Sims and Joe Quinn for being his “yarning buddies” and the friendship they shared so readily.Cremation has occurred and a private interment will be scheduled for a later date. A private family service will be held at Capital Funeral Home and Cemetery, Ottawa on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Due to current restrictions, for those unable to attend please join the family for the live stream of the service, starting at 1:00 pm by going to http://distantlink.com/dlm19.html Password: Arbor2020.No flowers by request. For those who wish to pay tribute to Ron, please do so by reaching out to someone in need and do a good deed.