By Gord McNulty
Family and friends of renowned aviation photographer Eric Dumigan gathered at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in Ontario, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023, to celebrate his life as he would have wanted.
Eric’s photographs of air shows, fly-ins, and aviation events appeared in many publications, including General Aviation News.
An exceptional turnout of people and aircraft spoke volumes about the esteem in which Eric was held throughout the aviation fraternity. The celebration was hosted by the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.
Bernadette LaBarre Dumigan expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone for their attendance after Eric died unexpectedly on Sept. 25, 2021.
In an emotional moment, Bernadette said she would “rather have a short life with Eric than a long life.”
Canadian Warplane Heritage representatives flew the museum’s B-25 Mitchell from their home base in Hamilton to the event.
Hannu Halminen of Orono, Ontario, brought his impressive P-51 Mustang in post-war RCAF colors.
A T-28 Trojan and a Viking Air DHC-2 Beaver also highlighted an array of visiting aircraft.
Well-known air show pilots attended the celebration of life, as well as members of the Guelph, Ontario, Tiger Boys, the Jet Aircraft Museum in London, Ontario, the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, EAA Chapter 65 Golden Horseshoe, and more.
Six Harvards flew a missing man formation in a fitting tribute to Eric, remembered as “not only a great photographer, but a great human being.”
Eric may be gone, but his inspiring legacy will live on.
He is like my friend Ed Anderson from North Vancouver who passed a few months ago who was also a published aviation photographer. Their passion
this Stearman flew over my position, 5mi east of ACY on 8 Nov, 2023