Aviation Community Loses Hannu Halminen 

Story and photos by Gord McNulty
March 2026
Canada’s aviation community lost a stalwart on February 24 when Hannu Halminen, of Orono (northeast of Oshawa), Ontario, died suddenly at age 76. He was recovering from a stroke in November and was relieved to be at home after 86 days in the hospital.

Hannu’s many friends and supporters were deeply saddened by the loss of a much respected, gifted pilot with enthusiasm and passion for aviation. He was a highly successful homebuilder who made numerous contributions to the broader community.
Hannu Halminen fires up his P-51D Mustang at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM). Greg Chapman of the CWHM is in the rear seat.
Hannu was the proud owner of a classic collection of aircraft, including a beautifully restored P-51D Mustang; a Harvard; a Waco YMF-5; and a de Havilland Tiger Moth.

He frequently flew his highly polished Mustang, a striking aircraft in the colours of RCAF Auxiliary 424 “City of Hamilton” (Tiger) Squadron, to the CWHM in Hamilton and other venues including the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg.
Hannu Halminen’s P-51D Mustang, in the markings of 424 “City of Hamilton” (Tiger) Squadron, at the CWHM, registered NL951HB. The RCAF Auxiliary squadron flew Mustangs at Mount Hope from 1951 to 1956.
Hannu attained his pilot’s licence in 1970 and logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time. He enjoyed flight with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program, did flyovers on Remembrance Day, flew flights for veterans, attended the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh every summer, and more.

Hannu often flew air-to-air photo shoots with his good friend, renowned photojournalist Eric Dumigan.  He flew the Mustang to the celebration of life for Eric at Tillsonburg in September 2023.
Hannu Halminen departs the celebration of life for Eric Dumigan at Tllsonburg in his P-51D Mustang, on September 23, 2023, as the crew of the CWHM B-25 Mitchell prepares for departure.
I never met Hannu in person, unfortunately, but I well remember once enjoying the annual Hawkefield Barnyard Fly-In and corn roast held at Orono - a popular gathering for aviation fans every year.

Hannu was born in Turku, Finland on May 7, 1949. The Halminens immigrated to Canada in 1956 and Hannu developed a strong work ethic early in life.

In 1973, Hannu, with his brother John, and father, Kauko, established Halminen Homes in 1973. The funeral home obituary described Hannu’s “great success with his home building, land development, and self-storage companies over the past five decades… his mark is left on the nearly 10,000 homes built, not just bricks and mortar but opportunities for employment that changed lives for countless people, and impacted the greater Clarington community as a whole.”

The CAHS extends our condolences to his wife Karen, “loving copilot of nearly 55 years,” his twin daughters Lisa and Lori, and the extended family. A celebration of life service will be held April 18 at the Embassy Church in Oshawa. 

See obituary and service information here.