Greg Lamb

Thomas Gregory “Greg” Lamb

Greg Lamb passed away on October 20, 2023 at the age of 93.

Greg was born in The Pas, Manitoba on August 7, 1930 to Tom and Jenny Lamb. He had 3 older sisters and 5 younger brothers (all deceased). Greg grew up at Moose Lake and spent his summers on a boat (Skippy L) on the Saskatchewan River. His father put him to work at a very young age, caring for his siblings and the horses, trapping muskrat and working on the boat.

Greg was sent to Ravenscourt boarding school in Winnipeg by grade 6.  He was home sick and would sneak away to take flying lessons at Charlie Graffo’s Flying Service until his father got the bill. He left school in grade 10 and went home to work and to get his pilot’s license.

By the time he was 20, Greg had many skills, hauling freight by tractor train, digging ditches by dragline, and fixing anything. He became a bush pilot and aircraft engineer and he worked with his father and brothers building up their family-run airline Lambair. He spent his early years flying all over northern Manitoba and the Arctic. His adventures and work history are too extensive to list. He moved to Thompson in 1963 where he still flew everywhere but was happy to be home more as he worked as the base manager.

Greg married Verna, “the love of his life”, in 1952. They had 4 children: Laurie (David) Wagner, Tommy (1954-1977), Tracey (Thomas) Kirouac and Kristina (Mark) Davies. There are seven grandchildren: Lindsey, Emily (Stu), Jaqueline (Ben), Elizabeth (David), Thomas (Samantha), Shelby (Ben) and Kiefer (Rachel). And soon to be nine great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Caitlin, Henry, Norah, Rhett, Beau, Alice, Atlin and Maxwell.

Greg was accepted into the Free Masons in 1957. He was an active Shriner from 1976-2011.

Greg had two big tragedies in his life. Greg and Verna lost their son Tommy in a helicopter crash in 1977. Then Lambair went into receivership in 1982.

Greg returned to The Pas and flew for the Manitoba Government. He then began a career as a Stores Keeper for Government Services (1985-1996).

Upon retirement Greg spent his time fixing things. He helped with maintenance at the Anglican Church and Masonic Lodge Hall. He was always in his garage at home or shed at the lake building or repairing things. He and Verna spent much of the summer at their cottage at Clearwater Lake. In winter he loved to ice fish. His constant companions were his Scottie dogs, Hamish and Geordie.

Greg knew everyone and they knew him across the North. He was very social and would stop and talk to anyone he met. He always had a story or joke to tell, whether in English or Cree.

Greg and Verna travelled while their health was good. In their 80s, they simplified life and moved to Mapleton Lane in St. Andrews, then in 2017 into the Portsmouth in Winnipeg.

Greg’s work flying was his life and he was always on the move. He loved to walk in the forest with his dogs, pick mushrooms and berries, paddle his canoe to look at wildlife and get away to sit and listen to the wind. He was a strong advocate for the North.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Extendicare Tuxedo Villa for their care and compassion over the past three years. In keeping with Greg’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of life will be held.

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