Russell J. Beach, of Smiths Falls, Ontario passed away on May 26, 1995, just a few days short of his 85th birthday.

        Russ Beach was well known across Canada in business circles as Canada's leading metal box manufacturer and as the popular president of Canada's largest member national aviation association, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. In recent years Beach was Canada's oldest active jet pilot. He flew his own Cessna Citation jet aircraft for several years after he turned 80. Although Beach Industries Limited became Canada's largest metal box manufacturer, Beach was best known in aviation as the protector of the rights of private pilots and private aircraft owners to enjoy the freedom of the skies.

        Russ Beach learned to fly at the age of 45. He bought his first amphibian seaplane shortly thereafter. He owned a series of aircraft which he flew on business trips on behalf of his company. He joined the COPA board of directors in 1964. He was elected secretary-treasurer in 1968, and, became president of COPA in 1971 , a post which he held until stepping down in 1993. Under his guidance, COPA made its greatest strides, and became one of Canada's most successful national aviation organizations. At the time of his death, Beach was still a COPA director.

        Russ Beach was the recipient of both Canadian and international aviation awards which recognized the effort he put forth on behalf of reasonable and progressive government policies on aviation matters. He became well acquainted with most Ministers of Transport as a result of heading numerous delegations on regulatory aeronautical matters. He was also a vice-president of IAOPA, the International Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations which represent pilots and aircraft owner associations in 34 countries. He chaired an IAOPA World Assembly in the Philippines, during the 1970's. In his IAOPA position, be became well respected by leaders of aviation associations in many countries.

Russ Beach was predeceased by his wife Beryl and is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.