Max Ward Remembered at
Aviation Fundraiser Luncheon

Story and photos by John Chalmers
July 2026
On Tuesday, 9 June 2026, the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, a Museum Member of the CAHS, held its first-ever fundraiser luncheon. The sellout attendance saw famed aviator, Edmonton-born Max Ward (1921-2020), remembered and honoured at the event. Starting his long and colourful career in aviation as a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot in 1940, he then served as an air force flying instructor at Canadian bases until 1945.
Max Ward (image from internet)
Post-war, Max began work as a bush pilot flying in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories (NWT). In 1952, he formed Wardair, based in Edmonton, and ultimately flying aircraft as large as Boeing 747s. Operating until merging into Canadian Airlines in 1990, Wardair earned a fine reputation for flights, on-board meals, and passenger service.
Wardair purser and flight attendant uniforms.
Flight ticket for the luncheon.
Tickets for the luncheon were created in the form of a Wardair flight ticket, and guests were welcomed by mannequin in the uniforms of a purser and a flight attendant at the Chateau Louis convention centre where guests were served a three-course meal with red or white wine, just as were passengers on Wardair flights.
"Max Ward" monologue.
Highlight of the luncheon was an original monologue scripted and performed by well-known Edmonton playwright and actor, Kenneth Brown. Speaking in the persona of Max Ward himself, Ken Brown as Max recounted a varied career in flying several types of aircraft such as a de Havilland Fox Moth, Otter, and Beaver before moving into the area of jet-powered charter flights and scheduled service in five provinces as well as to destinations in the United States, Europe, and Mexico.
Actor Kenneth Brown as "Max".
“Max” described financial difficulties faced in the aviation industry, growth of his airline, and survival of two crashes. A mid-air collision while flying an Anson with the RCAF took the life of the two airmen in the other aircraft, and writing off a Beaver in a winter mishap in the NWT were two narrow escapes for Max. 

The planning committee was headed up by former RCAF pilots. Col (Ret.) Brent Abbott, at left below, was chairman. LCol (Ret.) Laurie Hawn, a former Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, served as M.C. at the event. Generous sponsorship by several organizations as well as ticket purchases contributed to success of the luncheon.
Col (Ret.) Brent Abbott
LCol (Ret.) Laurie Hawn
HCol Jean Lauzon
Funds raised by the event will be put to immediate good use on the wartime hangar that is home to the museum. Executive director HCol Jean Lauzon says, “Most museums run as operationally lean as possible, and our museum is no different. All funds raised will go towards immediate needs that include painting the outside of the hangar and rehabilitative work and repairs on the Warren Truss system of the hangar.”
Although out of caution the luncheon was not billed as a “First Annual” event, high attendance, success, and positive response have opened the possibility to do it again. “The museum has successfully run a number of events which reinforced the community outreach and emphasized the role of the museum as a focal point for the community, but had not held a dedicated fundraiser and sponsorship provided bonus funding,” says Brent Abbott. “The event served to demonstrate that we can raise significant funds through dedicated fundraiser events. What we do as a follow-up is going to be a challenge!”
Among the door prizes was a copy of A Tradition of Excellence: Canada’s Airshow Team Heritage by LCol (Ret.) Dan Dempsey, who was in attendance. Lucky winner of the authoritative book was Capt (Ret.) Erwin Loewen. As founder of the Snowbirds Alumni Association in 2013, now serving as secretary and past president, Dempsey is involved with efforts to keep the Snowbirds flying and not end their service as presently planned upon conclusion of the 2026 performance season.
LCol (Ret.) Dan Dempsey (left) and Capt (Ret.) Erwin Loewen (right).
Barkley-Grow T8P-1
Housed in Canada’s last operating double-wide double-long hangar of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the museum is home to over 30 aircraft. One a rare twin-engined Barkley-Grow T8P-1. It is a type flown by Max Ward as he was building his company to provide passenger and freight service. Only eleven were built, seven of them came to Canada, and only three survive, all at museums in Alberta –  Edmonton, Wetaskiwin, and Calgary.
The luncheon fundraiser was truly a celebration of aviation. Running in loops during the meal were photos related to Max Ward and his airline, and of aircraft in the museum. The event was rewarding in raising over $40,000 while intangible results came in the form of donations-in-kind, praise, and many positive comments, both verbally and in the survey questionnaire provided with donation cards at each place setting. Volunteer support is vital to Canadian aviation museums, with fundraising always a necessity!
The luncheon on 9 June helps to herald the beginning of a new era for the Alberta Aviation Museum. After more than 30 years in a wartime hangar owned by the City of Edmonton, on 2 October, the hangar will be sold to the museum for the sum of one dollar. Under new ownership, the museum will then have full responsibility for managing and operating what once was known as Hangar 14 of the BCATP bases in Edmonton, the home of one of Canada’s biggest aviation museums.
Alberta Aviation Museum