Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 20/05) - Merlyn Carter was well-known in the North as chief pilot and co-owner with his wife of Carter Air Services, and for the Nonacho Lake Fishing Camp.

His son Dean Carter of Vancouver says his father will be remembered both as a bush pilot and for his involvement in sports fishing.

"A lot of people don't know he really pioneered sport fishing tourism in the Canadian North," says Dean Carter.

Originally from Meadow Lake, Sask., Merlyn Carter came to Hay River in 1952, where his father, George, was a commercial fish buyer and seller.

Eventually, they started flying fish off Great Slave Lake. Merlyn and Jean started Carter Air Services in 1962.

"He had a large influence on many pilots who had their start in the Canadian North and went on to make their lifetime careers in commercial aviation," says Dean Carter.

In April, Merlyn and Jean Carter were recognized with honourary life memberships from the Northern Air Transportation Association.

Merlyn Carter's tragic death shocked Hay River.

"He was a gentleman's gentleman," says long-time friend Joe McBryan, better known as Buffalo Joe.

McBryan, the owner of Buffalo Airways, recalls Carter gave him his first job in the aviation business when he was 18 years old.

"He was a hell of a guy and a hell of an influence," McBryan says, adding it is hard to accept that such a gentle man could come to such a violent end.

Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey knew Merlyn Carter for many years.

"He will be greatly missed," Delorey says. "It's just a terrible tragedy."

A memorial service will be held June 24 at 4 p.m. at the Hay River Arena.