The parents, siblings and fiancée of a fighter pilot who died in a crash in Alberta on Monday say he was a loving, caring “clown” who kept everyone laughing and dreamed of flying a fighter jet since he was a boy.

Capt. Thomas McQueen, crashed Monday somewhere near the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary outside of Cold Lake, Alberta, where his squadron was based.

He grew up on his family’s farm in Fisherville, Ont., south of Hamilton and “passed doing what he loved,” his family said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

“From a young age, drawing jets on his homework, through Air Cadets at 611 Squadron, he never wavered in his desire to be a fighter pilot. He was proud to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, who was in the Air Force during WWII.”

McQueen was engaged to be married to a fellow officer on his base, Caitlin, and the family says “his smile was always bigger when he was with her.”

He leaves behind three younger siblings along with his parents.

They say he was an avid outdoorsman who had a need for speed, whether it be on a boat, on his dirt bike, or “breaking the sound barrier in his jet.”

“He loved being outdoors, and always found beauty in nature,” his family said, saying he enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling in the areas around the base where he was stationed.

They called him “a clown who kept us laughing” and “an extraordinary friend who always took care of others before himself.

“We are extremely thankful for the support we have received from our community and from the military. We truly feel that the nation is grieving with us, and we are grateful,” the family said, asking for privacy as they continue to mourn.

Ten fighter pilots have died in crashes since 1980, the Air Force said Tuesday.

Full family statement below:

“We are devastated at the loss of Thomas, but know that he was doing an important job, and that he passed doing what he loved. From a young age, drawing jets on his homework, through Air Cadets at 611 Squadron, he never wavered in his desire to be a fighter pilot. He was proud to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, who was in the Air Force during WWII.

“Thomas lived and loved with passion. He was soon to be married to the love of his life, Caitlin; his smile was always bigger when he was with her.

“Thomas loved speed, whether it was on a boat, his dirt bike, or breaking the sound barrier in his jet. He was always close with family, and was a clown who kept us laughing. Growing up on the farm, he loved being outdoors, and always found beauty in nature. He enjoyed living in Cold Lake; and was often hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.

“An extraordinary friend, he loved everyone and always took care of others before himself. Thomas touched the lives of so many people, and he will be deeply missed.

“We are extremely thankful for the support we have received from our community and from the military. We truly feel that the nation is grieving with us, and are grateful. We now ask for privacy, as we continue to mourn.”