Lorne Hicks, North Bay Airport Manager (1942–1974)
Although Lorne Hicks took on the role as airport manager in North Bay in 1942 when the airfield was a small triangle of land, his interest in aviation goes as far back as 1928 when he became Canada’s youngest commercial pilot at the age of 18.
Barnstorming for about a year, he piloted Moth aircraft with a troupe of wing walkers, parachute jumpers, and other aerobats. During the Great Depression, barnstormers used a variety of gimmicks to entice passengers onto the airplanes for rides, often charging a cent for each pound of the passenger’s weight.
At the outbreak of World War II, Hicks went on as a civilian instructor for the RCAF. Shortly after, he was asked to take over the airport at North Bay.
As airport manager, Hicks was responsible for the overall operation of the airport and all the facilities on the grounds. During the 1950s, he was the only civilian living on the air base, and in a 1974 Nugget article for his retirement, Hicks recalled that the RAF commanders required some time to adjust to the idea of a civilian having such authority. Hicks was also in charge of small emergency airfields south and west of North Bay.
Taking on administrative work, overseeing construction and security, and acting as a host to arriving passengers, the role as airport manager required Hicks to be a jack of all trades.
Throughout his career, Hicks met several Canadian Prime Ministers, including Lester B. Pearson. When Mr. Pearson flew into North Bay, he would spend as much as an hour in Hicks’ office, chatting informally. In 1951, Hicks welcomed Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at the airport upon arrival during the Royal visit to Canada.
In 1967, Hicks was presented with a Centennial Medal in recognition of his service to the country in the realm of aviation. He retired in 1974 after serving 32 years as the airport manager in North Bay.
Lorne Hicks in 1948 standing in the TCA hangar looking out to the terminal building.
North Bay Museum, Hicks Collection
Lorne Hicks standing proudly outside of the airport terminal building, circa early 1950s.
North Bay Museum, Hicks Collection
Lorne Hicks standing to the right of a man in uniform at the airport during the early days of Trans-Canada Air Lines.
North Bay Museum, Hicks Collection
A time capsule compiled by the North Bay Area Museum was buried at the North Bay Jack Garland Airport to honour its 50th Anniversary on July 15th, 1988.
Items in the time capsule included a shadfly, blueprints of the original airport building, and a copy of the July 15th edition of The Nugget. In this photo, the first airport manager Lorne Hicks and his successor Jim Albeartie are placing a marble plaque over the sealed crypt. The instructions on the marble plaque state that the crypt is not to be opened until the airport’s 100th anniversary on July 15th, 2038.
North Bay Museum, Hicks Collection