CC-130J Hercules. /Government of Canada photo
The RCAF and 8 Wing/CFB Trenton will honour Capt. Cameron Boyd – who also served as a doctor in Peterborough – with a flypast over his celebration of life this Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
In a Department of National Defence public advisory, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) announced plans for a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules from the 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton to conduct a flypast over Boyd’s celebration of life at the Peterborough Golf Country Club this Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at about 2:45 p.m.
“Through flypasts such as this, the Royal Canadian Air Force is proud to honour our veterans and their dedicated service to Canada,” said CAF officials, in the advisory.
According to CAF, Boyd started his military service as a medical officer for the 25 (Toronto) Medical Company from 1989 to 1993.
“He then dedicated (more than) two decades of his career as a respected flight surgeon with 8 Air Reserve Flight Trenton from 1989 to 2013. His expertise as a flight surgeon was valued and benefited additional bases across the country, including Comox, Moose Jaw, Cold Lake and Goose Bay.
“His legacy of service and care will be remembered by all who had the privilege to serve alongside him.”
According to his obituary, Boyd passed away peacefully with family by his side at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Oct. 12, 2025.
He was born in Montreal on Oct. 31, 1953, but his family later made the move back to Toronto, where he grew up.
His obituary described a young boy who excelled academically and in sports, and who had a love for the outdoors. Meanwhile, in his teenage years, motivated by a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Boyd developed an interest in medicine and pursued medical school at Queen’s University, his obituary reads.
This journey would end up taking him to New Zealand to work in family medicine after graduation and then back to Canada, where he settled in Peterborough and started a family.
During his career in Peterborough, his obituary details service as a family and emergency room physician, as well as a civil aviation medical examiner, 18 years helping in orthopedic surgery, and more.
His time as a captain and flight surgeon was described as an important professional highlight, with aviation a lifelong passion.
Like his father, he was described as an avid golfer who had fond memories of his long-time membership at the club. His celebration of life starts at 1 p.m. Saturday.
CAF officials noted that the aircraft will fly over at an altitude of no lower than 500 feet above the highest obstacle on their route. Flypasts continue to be meticulously and carefully planned and closely controlled for public safety. Flypasts are also always dependent on the weather and flying conditions.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
