Craig Laurence Dobbin

Craig Laurence Dobbin, O.C. Husband, father, grandfather, dear friend, entrepreneur, philanthropist, chairman, founder of the world's largest helicopter corporation and one of Newfoundland and Labrador's proudest sons. Surrounded by his beloved wife, confidante and best friend Elaine, his five children, and his brothers and sisters, at home looking out over the rugged Atlantic Ocean in Beachy Cove, Newfoundland, he presided gracefully and courageously over his final covenant and entered into the arms of the angels at age 71 on October 7, 2006. Craig Dobbin was born in St. John's, Newfoundland on Friday, September 13, 1935, one of 11 children to Rita (Power) and Patrick. He grew up on King's Bridge Road, a working class neighbourhood. He graduated from St. Bonaventure College in St. John's and went on to become one of the global aviation industry's most successful figures. He provided opportunity, support and inspiration to thousands through his businesses, his philanthropy and most importantly through his charming, larger than life, magnanimous character. A fearless buccaneer in the business world, Craig was guided by integrity, honesty and loyalty, and dove passionately into every task he undertook. He sprinkled his many speeches with concise, memorable axioms, including his three favorites: “Never take no for an answer,� “Turn adversity into opportunity,� and, his favorite in recent years, “Time is the enemy.� From his base in Newfoundland, he founded Sealand Helicopters with one aircraft in 1977 and launched CHC Helicopter Corporation in 1987, building the enterprise into the largest helicopter services company in the world through timely acquisitions, strategic decisions and the support of many dedicated, loyal employees. He visited many of the 35 countries in which CHC operates, served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and later as Executive Chairman, and delivered his final speech to shareholders with his usual wit and charm, and to lengthy applause, on September 28, 2006 in Vancouver. Craig founded Omega Investments, a Newfoundland real estate company that, combined with his reputation and integrity, provided the leverage and collateral for many of his subsequent ventures. He founded Air Atlantic, a regional fixed-wing airline when the Open Skies Treaty was signed in 1989; created Vector Aerospace through a public offering; built Canadian Helicopters; and created CHC Composites Limited. With every success, he was quick to point to his team, describing himself as a casting director rather than a master at business. He recognized talent and had a knack of making every individual feel important and his fellow employees were like family to him. Craig strongly believed in giving back to the community and did so with passion. In the giving of his time and talents, he never looked for recognition, but received it nevertheless for his outstanding generosity, support and encouragement. He was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada - which he considered to be his greatest honour; he received honorary degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the National University of Ireland and St. Mary's University in Halifax. He was the Provincial and National Transportation Person of the Year; was awarded the Medaille de l'aeronatique from the Government of France established to reward the individuals who distinguished themselves in the development of aviation; was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame; was Atlantic Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year and was voted Newfoundland and Labrador's Businessman of the Millennium. Just this past week, Craig received notification that he was to be inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in June 2007 for his lifetime of work and achievement in the aviation industry. He was a fiercely proud Newfoundlander, a loyal Canadian and honoured citizen of the Republic of Ireland. Craig served as Honourary Consul General of Ireland for Newfoundland and Labrador and was Chairman of the Ireland-Canada University Foundation in Dublin. Equally at ease with presidents, princes and those less fortunate, he supported, sometimes anonymously, many causes. He endowed the Robert M. Kotloff/Nancy P. Blumenthal Professorship for Advanced Lung Disease at the University of Pennsylvania and served as Honourary Chairman and Patron for various non-profit organizations including the Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation; The Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation; The Health Care Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador; Memorial University and others. He was named Outstanding Individual Philanthropist by the Canadian Society of Fundraising Executives. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by thousands. Leaving to mourn his wife, Elaine; daughters Joanne (Brian Sears); Carolyn; sons Mark (Sandra); Craig (Lisa); David (Penny); and their mother Eleanor. Stepchildren Kellee Carter (Jason); Scott Parsons (Karen); Robin Parsons (Callie). Grandchildren Isobel Dobbin-Sears; Tim Rose; Christine Rose; Kelly Rose; Sally Holloway; Jane Holloway; Eleanor Holloway; Megan Dobbin; Maria Dobbin; Michael Dobbin; Zachary Dobbin; Jake Dobbin; Gillian Dobbin; Heather Dobbin; Jayne Carter; Kate Carter; Lily Parsons; Hilary Parsons; Sisters Maureen (Dr. Justin MacCarthy); Marion (Dr. Walter Tucker); Rita (Edwin Dodge), Margo (William Stinson); Brothers Basil, Dermot (Cyndi); Barney (Elizabeth); sister-in-law, Joan Dobbin. A large number of nieces, nephews, dear friends and employees. At Craig's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal period of visitation. Funeral mass to be held at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist at 3:00 p.m., Monday, October 9, 2006, private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism, P.O. Box 14078, St. John's, NL, A1B 4G8; or the Lung Association of Newfoundland & Labrador, IPF Research Fund, P.O. Box 13457, St. John's, NL, A1B 4B8. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Carnell's Funeral Home. To send a message of condolence or to sign a memorial guest book, please visit www.carnells.com; a guest book has also been set up at the Carnell Memorial Chapel, 329 Freshwater Road for the convenience of the general public.