Bernard Robert Gregoire, 88

Bernard Robert Gregoire, “Bernie” or “BR,” peacefully passed away in his sleep with his daughter by his side on Sept. 7, 2017, in Bigfork. He was 88 years young.

He was born April 21, 1929, in Great Falls to George and Florence Gregoire. He was the youngest of four boys.

At the age of 16 he began his journey as a pilot. He got his license at the age of 17 and bought his first airplane at 19.?In 1949 he served in the Navy for a few short months before joining the Air Force from 1949 to 1952. Bernie worked for and eventually took over G.G. Gregoire & Sons as a Texaco consignee.

In October of 1965 he married Karen Fahey and had three children, Rob Gregoire, Renee Gregoire-Serr and James Gregoire.

His true passion was flying. In his 40s he flew every weekend he could from Great Falls to his “cabin” on Swan Lake, announcing his arrival with a low fly-by that thrilled his kids and annoyed his neighbors. In 1988 he moved permanently to his Swan Lake residence, and eventually to a home on the Ferndale airstrip. In his 70s he became a certified flight instructor, and in his 80s he was giving his children ulcers by still doing loops and rolls in his high performance “experimental” RV-8 airplane. He frightened and excited many people by taking them for rides in the RV-8 and most said the ride was the highlight of their lives. He was still flying just weeks before his passing. During his 70-plus years of flying he piloted over 60 types of aircraft. He was a long standing member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and a member of the UFO (United Flying Octogenarians).

His other passion was his children. He taught them all the fun things in life including skiing (on snow and water) snowmobiling, driving, flying, camping, riding horses in the Bob Marshall wilderness, fishing and much, much more.

He is survived by two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren and his longtime love Punky. He had a fun-filled and exciting full life all the way until the end. He was a son, a dad, an uncle and a friend to so many and is missed dearly.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Angel Flight West in his name.

We will be celebrating his life at 2 p.m. on Sept 23 on the Ferndale air strip, 676 Aero Lane, Bigfork.?Everyone is welcome!