Joe McBryan , better known as "," remains the legendary owner and president of Buffalo Airways , though his role has shifted in recent years as the aviation industry and his family business have evolved. Continued Leadership at Buffalo Airways
However, as for Buffalo Joe himself, any rumors of his passing are unfounded. He is . There are no credible reports, obituaries, or news articles confirming his death, and his son Mikey's social media continues to show him actively involved in aviation. In fact, in June 2025, Wilson "Joe" McBryan was officially listed as a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a significant Canadian honor. This official recognition by the Governor General of Canada is conclusive proof that Buffalo Joe is not only alive but also being honored for his contributions.
The story of Buffalo Airways continues under Mikey McBryan, but the soul of the operation—the original Buffalo Joe—is gone. The question "what happened to Joe McBryan" is ultimately a sad one. It’s a story of age, ego, family loyalty, and the brutal reality that even legends get old, and even empires can be taken apart by those closest to them.
By mid-December 2020, Joe’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He was admitted to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife. Within days, he was transferred to the , which has a specialized unit for severe respiratory illness. what happened to joe mcbryan
As of mid-2026, Buffalo Airways still lists Joe McBryan as a foundational figure and president, indicating his continued connection to the business he built over five decades.
, which showcased the airline's grueling operations in Canada's North. Career and Current Status Operational Leadership
: His son, Mikey McBryan , took on a more prominent role as General Manager, handling much of the public-facing and logistical side of the business. Recent Career & Flying Joe McBryan , better known as "," remains
Joe McBryan , famously known as " Buffalo Joe " from the TV series Ice Pilots NWT , remains the owner of Buffalo Airways
In response to the AOC suspension, Joe McBryan took a significant step by signing a letter agreeing to to allow an independent consultant to manage the company and get the certificate reinstated. Sol Taboada, the hired consultant, acknowledged problems including a lack of a robust safety system and "spotty" paperwork.
The story of Joe McBryan is inseparable from the story of Buffalo Airways. In 1970, a young pilot named Joe McBryan purchased the small, family-run Buffalo Airways from legendary Arctic aviator Bob Gauchie. At the time, it was just a single Douglas DC-3 plane. From these humble beginnings, "Buffalo Joe" built an empire. Through sheer grit and determination, he expanded the airline into a vital lifeline for the remote communities of the Northwest Territories, flying crucial supplies, food, and even performing countless medical evacuations. There are no credible reports, obituaries, or news
, has experienced several significant shifts in his role over the last decade, primarily driven by regulatory pressure from Transport Canada. While he remains the owner and a highly active pilot, he has officially stepped back from the airline's day-to-day management to ensure the company could keep its license. Key Events and Career Changes Forced Management Resignation (2015):
to meet contemporary cargo demands and efficiency standards. Legacy and Public Profile Ice Pilots NWT
This confusion directly fuels the search term "what happened to Joe McBryan" because people wanted to separate fact from fatalistic fiction.
It wasn't just the virus. While sedated and on a ventilator, Joe suffered secondary infections. His family later revealed that he endured and struggled with kidney function . At one point, doctors reportedly gave him only a 10% chance of survival. The man who had stared down Arctic blizzards and engine fires was now fighting for his life in a sterile ICU bed.
In one of the strangest chapters, Mark Owens (the same man who embezzled from Joe) was also convicted of plotting to murder Joe McBryan . Owens tried to hire a hitman to kill Joe so he could avoid being caught for the theft. The "hitman" turned out to be a police informant. Owens was arrested and sentenced to over five years in prison.