James Johnston

Jim passed quietly Sunday morning with Shirle by his side. He will be missed by his wife, Shirle, (predeceased by daughter Tanya Lilias 2006), Phillip and Kate Milligan, (Drew “Hamish”), Joyce Bazinet (Don), Naomi Bazinet and partner Josh Bradshaw (Lily and Ella), Arlen and Andrea Hodge (Ava), Brandon and Andy Hodge (Zoe), Michelle and Brian Wiebenga (Kyle), and John and Wendy Johnston (Dillon, Logan). Many of his colleagues, friends at home and that we have met in our travels as well.

Born, Jan 2, 1939, outside of Glasgow, his father in the army, family life did not settle until war's end when a brother, William (Billy) arrived.

Eventually he was conscripted and called to serve Her Majesty for 2 years. During this time he was stationed to Northern Ireland (before the Troubles) where he was classified as a nursing orderly, primarily on a medical ward. This peaked an interest in mental health and on leaving the army he moved to London 1964, joining the staff at Tooting Bec Hospital and graduated as a psychiatric nurse in 1967.

This year also corresponded with meeting me, a Canadian, at a food fair in London. He professed to love the turtle soup samples she was distributing. Testifying to the fact that the ways to a man's heart was through his stomach, a year later he followed her to Canada. They married on April 6, 1968, (his passing was 17 days short of our 49th anniversary)

Initially he worked at Colony Farm and was the first to join the Greater Vancouver Mental Hospital Service(GVMHS) and over the years worked on several community teams. People there fondly remember his jokes.

A delightful daughter,Tanya joined the family in 1975. He was a proud involved father and loved taking and watching her plays hockey games. She predeceased us in 2006, an event no parent should have to endure.

The family frequently visited Gran in Scotland and traveled extensively in Great Britain. A favoured spot was Greece. Over the years, we have very dear friends in Athens and the Peloponnese and we spent many happy days island hopping.

A true son of Scotland and a lifetime Robbie Burns fan, he quickly adapted to life in Canada and happily became a Canadian. A chance to wear his kilt was always a highlight. There was nothing he liked better than formal night on a cruise where he could parade to dinner in his full regalia.

In 2009, prostate cancer was discovered, changing our lives. Excellent medical care kept him healthy and on the move up until the last 6 months. We took eagerly to cruising and covered many ocean miles.

Always a loving, caring and social person, he gave everyone chuckle with his sense of humour. The jokes were frequently accompanied by a wee dram.

Special thanks to his caring health supporters, Dr. Erik Baasch, White Rock Home Care and SMH Palliative care.

The family all loved him and he will be sorely missed. Kalo Taxidi (Greek for bon voyage)