Ontario Cafe Remembers Air Canada Pilot Mackenzie Gunther

The owner of a coffee shop in Peterborough, Ont., is remembering one of the Air Canada pilots who lost his life in Sunday’s crash as a “very kind” man who had a “love for coffee.”

Daniel Biro, co-owner of Rapids End Coffee Roastery, said Mackenzie Gunther visited the shop every week while he was studying in Seneca College’s Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program.

“He shared a love for coffee and that’s how we met,” Biro said. “While he was doing his schooling, I guess he’d come in here weekly, and we’d have coffee and chat about his coffee gear.

“He was very kind and even after he graduated and moved on for his job, he still ordered our coffee and would come by.”

The coffee roastery has set up a portrait of Gunther near the register along with a card for customers to sign, whether they knew him or not.

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Biro mentioned he knew Gunther for around four years, noting that he saw him two-and-a-half weeks ago with his wife during their visit to the shop.

“It feels strange when you part ways saying, ‘OK see you next time,’ expecting that you will,” he reflected.

Gunther was serving as the first officer on the Air Canada Jazz flight that collided with a fire truck at La Guardia Airport on Sunday night, alongside pilot Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac, Que.

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According to Seneca College, Gunther joined Jazz Aviation through its Pathways Program, allowing him to start his flying career right after graduation.

Flying had been Gunther’s dream for years, according to Wahab Ghafari, who owned Rivermist Landscaping in Ottawa where Gunther worked for two summers starting back in 2018.

“At first, he told me that he wanted to be a pilot,” Ghafari shared in an interview with .

2:13 What we know about 2 pilots killed in Air Canada plane crash at La Guardia Airport

Ghafari mentioned Wednesday that Gunther called him during the summer of 2018 asking if there were any job openings at his business. This led him to hire the then teenager.

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The teen contributed greatly by using the company’s drone for video and photo work.

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“He was such a positive guy-very polite-with great character,” Ghafari stated. “Honestly, he was the best employee I ever had.”

Biro said their last conversation happened earlier this year when Gunther asked if he could use Ghafari as a reference for his new job at Air Canada.

The tragic crash involving Air Canada on Sunday included 72 passengers and four crew members; more than 40 people were hospitalized due to injuries sustained from the incident. Both Gunther and Forest unfortunately lost their lives during this event.

Biro recounted how upon hearing about the crash; he initially sent Gunther an Instagram message but didn’t get any response. He then followed up with text messages containing similar content.

Earily Tuesday morning Biro learned from his wife what had happened to his friend.

“We just were like. super sad because we had kind of been concerned knowing someone might be flying that route.. and then.. it turned out bad,” Biro explained when speaking with .

Biro expressed it may help him cope with grief but emphasized wanting to honor his friend’s memory instead.

“His life ended too soon and his family deserves to know we cared about him,” Biro remarked.

Ghafari received word Monday evening about the accident and admitted he’s still trying to process everything.

“I couldn’t believe it was really him,” said Ghafari. “Once I looked into it further and confirmed it.. I’m still shocked days later.”

-with files from ’s Adriana Fallico and Marc Woodhouse

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