People in Guelph, Ont., are remembering business owner and pilot Steve Zago for his positivity and eagerness to make the city a better place.
A sign on the door of Lost Aviator Coffee announced Zago’s death, saying it was sudden and during a flying accident.
A small collection of flowers sat in front of the door Monday morning and a poem called High Flight was taped to the door in Zago’s memory. The coffee shop said it would remain closed until Tuesday so staff could take time to grieve and process the news.
A sign on the door of Lost Aviator Coffee Co. in Guelph says co-founder Steve Zago died suddenly in a flying accident. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
The Waterloo Warbirds posted that Zago died on Friday in a plane crash near Fergus. has also confirmed with close friends that Zago was one of the two people who died in the crash near Fergus.
Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police reported two people died after a small plane crashed in a field just after 10 a. m. on Friday. The plane caught fire when it hit the ground and the two people in the plane were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday that a team of investigators were sent to the area to gather information and assess what happened. The Transportation Safety Board is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline and rail transportation occurrences.
The Waterloo Warbirds said Zago had been a member since 2017 and “was a valued member of the team in countless capacities.”
The Warbirds said he would help with flight operations to allow people to “experience once in a lifetime flights” and worked on restoration projects “that helped grow our fleet.”
He created the Waterloo Warbirds You Tube series Stories from my Logbook that shared first-hand stories from veteran Second World War RCAF pilots about their time in service.
“His passion for aviation shone through in everything he did and his contributions were felt across the team, helping share the thrill of aviation and aviation history with so many,” the post said.
The Waterloo Warbirds posted about Steve Zago’s contributions to the organization, including restoration work and taking people on flights over the area. (Waterloo Warbirds/Instagram)
Zago ‘showed up for’ community
Zago and Adam Wright are pilots who started Lost Aviator Coffee Co. in 2020.
Mayor Cam Guthrie issued a statement on Facebook saying he was “shocked and in utter disbelief.”
“Steve was so positive and instilled a mindset into his store(s) and to others that was contagious. He literally always gave to others in need and helped promote so many other businesses in Guelph,” he said.
A small bouquet of flowers sits in front ofthe door at Lost Aviator Coffee Co. on Monday morning. Signsonthe door tell customersthe coffee shop is closed until Tuesdayas stafftake time toprocess news co-founder Steve Zagodied suddenlyduringaflying accident.(Kate Bueckert/CBC)
Royal City Brewing, which is locatedin thesameareaof th e city as Lost Aviator Coffee , postedatributeto Zagosayingthe“neighbourhoodlostoneofits best.” P >
“Steve didn’tjust talkaboutcommunity. He showedupforit. Whenever therewas somethingtobuild , fix , organizeorcelebrate , Stevewasatfrontwithhis time , his care , and his bigheart,”thepostsaid. P >
“Somuchofwhatmakesthis cornerofthecityfeellikeacommunityis apartofhim. We’regratefulforeverythinghegave, andweknowwewillfeelhisabsencedeeply.” P >Royal City Brewingin Guelphpostedatributet o Steve Zagosaying Zagodidn’tjusttalkaboutcommunity. Heshowedupforit.(Royal City Brewing/Instagram) p>Na-Ha-Thai’s Kitchen, whichisalsointhesamearea, offeredcondolencesto Zag o’s family, friendsandcolleagues.
“Asafellowsmallbusinessandneighbour, this heartbreakingnewshitshome. Justyesterday, wewereorderingcoffeefrom Lost Aviator, neverimagining suchdevastatingnewswouldfollow,”thebusinesssaidina Facebookpost.
Flow State Bike Co., locatedin Arkell, remembered Z agoon Instagramas“astrongsupporterofsmallbusinessesandatruechampionofthe Guelph community. Hebelievedinliftingothersup, andourcommunityisstrongerbecauseofhim.” p >Funeral plans have not yetbeenreleasedtot he public. p>
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