Hundreds of people crowded into Nanton's Lancaster Museum on Thursday afternoon to remember a member of southern Alberta's aviation community.
Denny Loree was the pilot of one of the aircraft involved in the mid-air collision in Saskatchewan last weekend that killed five people.
Loree's Piper PA-28 and a Lake Buccaneer amphibious plane collided in the sky over St. Brieux northeast of Saskatoon on Saturday, May 12.
Loree's friends Eric Donovan and his son Wade were aboard the Piper when it went down and were also killed in the crash.
Loree was a well known and valued member of his community.
Mourners were surrounded by vintage airplanes and aviation memorabilia as they said goodbye to the much loved pilot.
Denny Loree was also remembered as a devoted father, husband and farmer.
"I knew when his work day was done. Very often he would buzz the house on his way home. I'll never see a small plane again and not think of Denny," said friend Ken Weber.
His saddle and cowboy hat were centre stage at the memorial.
Museum officials say they were honoured to host the event and that Loree was a supporter of the facility.
The two people in the other plane have been identified as Joy and Eric Jackson of Regina.
A mass for Eric and Wade Donovan will take place Thursday night in High River.
Loree is survived by his wife Joan, son Mckenzie, mother Donna, and a large extended family
