Skyward
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Joe studied in the RCAF Aeronautical program at Royal Roads and graduated in Engineering. He went on to attend Royal Military College (RMC) and Queen’s University, graduating with a degree in Advanced Mathematics and Thermodynamics.
Joe’s passion in life was flying, and as a young man he received the Siddely Trophy and was recognized as a Top Gun Fighter Pilot. He was very proud to be assigned as the lead navigator in Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation fly-past, the RCAF’s largest peacetime aircraft formation over the Peace Tower in Ottawa, Canada. They arrived at 12:00 noon sharp!
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He also loved his career as an aeronautical engineer. Joe was instrumental in developing many designs to improve aircraft safety practices. This included ejection seat modifications that resulted in a fully inflated parachute, and rocket motor designs for supersonic and subsonic ejection seats that were adopted by the USAF for their fleets and by NASA for the Gemini Space Capsule. The subsonic aircraft ejection seat rocket motor, with an automatic parachute opener and an automatic seat restraint release system can be found in the NATO F-86, T-33 fleets and the CL-41 Snowbird aircraft.
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Joe Pagnutti receiving Siddely Trophy
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Joe had over 2000 hours flying time in the T-33 while doing engineering work
Joe loved sports, and played both competitive hockey and football as a young man. When he became a father, he delighted in coaching and watching his children participate in their many activities. He was also an avid sportsman who loved to hunt and fish in Algonquin Park and throughout Canada well into his 80s.
Joe’s biggest accomplishment was being a loving and caring father and grandfather. He always wanted to have children and cherished family gatherings, whether it was to celebrate the holiday season or someone’s birthday. More recently, he looked forward to his morning breakfast with son Mike who kept him going with his organic concoctions (including his homemade sauerkraut), and daughter Sue’s fantastic Sunday dinners.
Joe was always there through his children’s ups and downs, and was a tower of strength for his entire family. He offered sound advice and imparted wisdom when asked, even if it was 2:00 in the morning. He was a great storyteller (did he really drive the lunar module better than Neil Armstrong?), and was a true legend to his family. He taught them all to enjoy every moment life has to offer. One of Joe’s favourite sayings was “every day is a good day” and this is exactly how he lived his life.
Predeceased by his loving and supportive wife for 58 years Lynn (Newton), sons RCAF Flight Surgeon “Dr. Dave”, and Robert. Survived by daughter Susan and son Michael, grandsons Douglas, Daniel, Evan, Lee, Harrison, Cruz, Tristan, and great-grandchildren Andre and Adele.
Joe’s biggest accomplishment was being a loving and caring father and grandfather. He always wanted to have children and cherished family gatherings, whether it was to celebrate the holiday season or someone’s birthday. More recently, he looked forward to his morning breakfast with son Mike who kept him going with his organic concoctions (including his homemade sauerkraut), and daughter Sue’s fantastic Sunday dinners.
Joe was always there through his children’s ups and downs, and was a tower of strength for his entire family. He offered sound advice and imparted wisdom when asked, even if it was 2:00 in the morning. He was a great storyteller (did he really drive the lunar module better than Neil Armstrong?), and was a true legend to his family. He taught them all to enjoy every moment life has to offer. One of Joe’s favourite sayings was “every day is a good day” and this is exactly how he lived his life.
Predeceased by his loving and supportive wife for 58 years Lynn (Newton), sons RCAF Flight Surgeon “Dr. Dave”, and Robert. Survived by daughter Susan and son Michael, grandsons Douglas, Daniel, Evan, Lee, Harrison, Cruz, Tristan, and great-grandchildren Andre and Adele.