Captain Colin Roy Haynes CAF (Retired)

The family of Colin Roy Haynes of St John’s NL is sad to announce his passing at the age of 91 years after a brief but courageous battle with heart disease.  Preceded in death by his loving wife Patricia Ann (May2000).  Also remembered by companion and cherished friend Elizabeth (Betty) Oliver St John’s NL

Leaving to mourn and remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and teacher of life lessons to son Roger (Brenda) St John’s NL, son Rob of Langton ON and daughter Jennie Lyn (Robert) Mt Pearl NL, granddaughter Amber (Jason) Guelph ON, grandson Colin (Gyd) of Ft McMurray AB, great grandfather to Kennedy Guelph ON and Isla Rose Ft McMurray AB.

Brother of Maxwell (Mac) and the late Frank, James, Ron, Nell and June.  Further survived and fondly remembered by nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous friends.

Colin or Roy, your pick because in true fashion with a smirk on his face just when you thought, it was one or the other he switched it up, was born in Catalina in January of 1931. After a brief stint as crew in the engine room of the Catalina Trader sailing the Eastern Seaboard he joined the Canadian Air Force to, as he said, “to get as far away from the water as I can”.    He embarked on a remarkable 36-year career that saw him travel the world, defending freedom and making significant contributions to advances in jet aircraft technology including the first air-to-air refueling of a Canadian jet the CF5 Freedom Fighter. If you thought you had a need for speed, how about travelling at Mach 2.1 (more then 2x the speed of sound) in a CF104 Starfighter when he was stationed in Cold Lake Alberta with the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE).

On his retirement from the Air Force, and a stint as a civilian employee at CFS St Johns and in need of a hobby and his extreme work ethic he joined the Targa Newfoundland organization.  He spent many years travelling the province working with communities to be included in a race stage and training volunteers for race day logistics and safety.

A proponent of life long learning he was an avid reader who loved a good debate on any subject from any side, at any time and his opinion on varied topics was often shared with the masses in a Letter to the Editor of the Newfoundland Telegram.   Without a doubt, one of his greatest passion was spending as much time as possible at his beloved “Haynes Hideaway” on Princeton Big Pond working his garden or planning a visit to a yard sale or auction to replenish items for his annual and highly anticipated Canada Day yard sale at the cabin.

While not a particularly religious man, he led by example with many acts of generosity and kindness to family and strangers alike and in recent days was known to recite.

“Remember me as you pass by,

so where you are now, so once was I.

Where I am now, so you shall be,

So get ready for eternity”

As per his wishes, there will be “no hoopla” on his passing.  A celebration to honor his life for will be held Tuesday October 25, 2022 between 6:00 & 9:00 PM at Carnell’s Funeral Home 329 Freshwater Road.    In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland at https://spanl.ca/donations/ or Diabetes Canada at https://www.diabetes.ca/