Stewart Lockhart flew dangerous water bomber missions over forests ablaze with flames and he once crashed during takeoff from an interior British Columbia lake. No one was hurt. The plane sunk in 41 metres of frigid water and everyone had to swim to shore.
None of this upset the unflappable Stewart, a pilot and aircraft engineer with a remarkable life story. “We always said dad had nine lives,” said daughter Cecilia Lockhart. “He always had a glint in his eye and he’d try to find the humour in things.
” Stewart’s life as a pilot was often coloured by danger but he was equally comfortable flying Toronto Maple Leafs executives in a Learjet. Since he was a small boy, Stewart had dreamed of flying, said his wife, Louise Lockhart, and he made his dreams come true despite a rocky early start to life. Stewart was born June 4, 1932, in Toronto, the only child of Christina and David Lockhart.
When Stewart was young his father joined the Perth Regiment and would serve six years during the Second World War. For a child, it was a long time to be apart from a father, but what the separation sparked was a powerful work ethic in young Stewart. “At 11 he delivered newspapers,” said Louise.
“As a teen he worked in a fish and chips shop, delivering fish and chips on a bike. “He was never out of a job.” Christina worked in a factory to support herself and her young son.
The marriage did not survive the war and though they were together for a short time after David returned,.