Earl Johnston

Earl Johnston83, Glace BayMr. Earl Johnston, 83, of 20 Rankin Street, Glace Bay, died Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at the Glace Bay General Hospital with his wife at his side.Born in Glace Bay, he was the youngest son of the late Walter and Isabella (Read) Johnston.He was employed at Turners’ Transfer in Glace Bay delivering for Eaton’s Department Store. He later joined TransCanada Airlines before finally moving onto the Seaboard Power Plant where he retired as a supervisor in 1986 after 35 years of service.Earl was a member of Newsom United Church and Branch 3 of the Royal Canadian Legion where he served 17 years as treasurer.From 1943-46 he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force starting off as an aircraftman working his way up to the rank of corporal upon his discharge. During WWII he worked as a transport driver around the southeast of the United Kingdom, primarily in the Ramsgate and Margate area.Earl is survived by his wife, the former Anne Budden, daughter, Dianne (Donnie) MacDonald of Marion Bridge and son, Walter (Debbie) Johnston of Glace Bay. Also surviving are step sister in-laws Annie and Anita Matheson, grandchildren Darren MacDonald, Dawn MacDonald, Angela Wadden and Tessa Johnston. In addition, four great-grandchildren Darian MacDonald, Dylan MacLean, Owen MacDonald and Madison Wadden and a number of nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Isabella Johnston, brother Harold, stepfather Alex Matheson, stepsister Nona Hillier, stepbrothers George, Garfield, David and Donald Matheson.Visitation for the late Earl Johnston will be held 2-4 and 7-9 pm today at the Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union Street, Glace Bay. Funeral will be 2 pm Friday at Newsom United Church with the Rev. Michael Goodfellow officiating. The burial will be to follow at a later date in the Greenwood Cemetery.Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association, as well as, Newsom United Church. Family flowers only please. On-line memorials can be left at www.mem.com or by e-mailing directly to [email protected].