Memorial service held for pilot killed in plane crash near Kelowna

Memorial service for Jim Kruk A tribute to the pilot who was killed alongside Jim Prentice, Ken Gellatly and Sheldon Reid was held in Airdrie. Jamie Mauracher has more.

Jim Kruk, the pilot of a plane that crashed north of Kelowna last week, was remembered by friends, family and the community at a memorial service in Airdrie on Friday afternoon.

Honour guards from the RCMP, the Aviation Brotherhood and the Airdrie Cadets 88 Squadron were included in the service along with members of Troop 13, which was Kruk’s class when he went to Depot in Regina

Kruk was killed along with former Premier Jim Prentice, Ken Gellaty and Sheldon Reid, when the Cessna Citation they were in went down shortly after takeoff on October 13, 2016.

Those who knew Kruk say he was a dedicated member of the Airdrie Air Cadets and a longtime member of the RCMP.

Kruk leaves behind a wife and two sons and an education fund has been set up to help the two boys.

Kevin Moore, a family friend, said Kruk was a 'gentleman' and a 'professional'.

Moore says he and Kruk were neighbours for seven years.

"That big smile you see in all the pictures? That was there all the time. I remember the first time I met him, we were next door neighbours. They had moved to Airdrie and he had bought the house they're in without Darlene seeing it. So he came across the lawn to introduce himself with a big smile and a handshake." he said. "I asked him if he had a wife and kids are they around and he's like 'they haven't seen it yet. I bought it and she hasn't seen it yet but she's going to love it'. He was right. That's just something right from day one."

The memorial service for Jim Kruk was held at the Town and Country Centre in Airdrie.

Family friend Brent Wood read a statement on behalf of the family following the service and said that Kruk was a kind-hearted and approachable man and touched the hearts of those he came in contact with.

“Today the Williams and Kruk family and friends celebrate the life of Jim. Jim was an outstanding husband and father with a huge passion of aviation,” said Wood. “Jim’s love for Darlene and his sons was wonderful and incredible.”

Earlier this week, the Transportation Safety Board said it would be wrapping up the investigation at the crash scene but would still be working on a final report.

The plane did not have a voice or data recorder on board and the crash has renewed calls for all aircraft in Canada to require the devices.

The TSB estimates it will take about a year to complete the investigation.

Memorial services for the three other victims will happen next week.

A service for Ken Gellaty will be at Grace Presbyterian Church on Monday at 2:00 p.m.

Sheldon Reid's memorial service is scheduled on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens.

A public, state memorial for former Premier Jim Prentice will be held at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium on October 28.

Details are still being finalized on who will attend and speak at the service.