My sincere condolences to Julie and family. Almost one year has passed and from my personal experience (I lost my husband Atty. John Douglass in 2004) that is the most difficult time to endure the pain involved. Be not troubled Julie, altho forever painful , by degrees it will become more manageable.I do hope your family is helping to fill the void
Shirley Rigg Douglass



Dear Julie & Family
Our family was deeply saddened by the news. Basil was not only a talented orthopaedic surgeon who advanced the practice of orthopaedics in Peterborough upon his arrival, but he was also a leader in medical administration. I had the pleasure of using his prototype Medical Staff By-Laws on several occasions during my medical career in constructing Medical Staff By-Laws in hospitals in Canada and overseas. They were most helpful.
We have great memories of ski trips to  Collingwood with Basil and Julie and many OMA Bonspiels/bus trips with Basil and the Peterborough docs. They were the best of times. And our girls will never forget Dr. Johnston, the Dad who built the world's best doll house for his girls. We will all miss his wonderful sense of humour, good nature and great intellect.
Our sincerest condolences to you all.
Sharon, Murray, Scott, Leigh, Ken and Susan Trusler

Dear Julie and family. Our deepest condolences .Basil will be missed by all whose lives he touched. May fond memories comfort you through this dark time.         Dave and Wendy

Dear Julie & family,

On behalf of all of the Cosgrave ‘kids’ I want to offer our deepest sympathies on the passing of Basil. We all remember with great fondness the wonderful times spent with your family (and the rest of the crew) at our farm and elsewhere. Basil was, as I recall it, the ‘quiet’ one -  at least until the inevitable gathering around our rickety piano for the singing of “Irish Eyes…”

Basil (and you Julie) were such great friends to my dad until the very end which meant the world to him and to us. It’s nice to think about Basil and Jim once again sharing a hearty laugh and maybe a bottle of vino in the afterlife.

Dave Cosgrave

Dear Julie and family, we were so sorry to learn of Basil’s passing. He was an institution on the Rideau and will be missed. 
Our sincere condolences to all of you.
George & Linda McLennan

My condolences Julie. You and Basil complemented each other so well.  Love Anne

Dear Julie & family:  
We were so sorry to hear about Basil's passing.  Please know that we are thinking of you with love, and holding you close in our hearts.

Sending hugs,
Bev & Lou 
(from the cottage)

Dear Julie,
          David and I are very sorry to hear of Basil’s passing.   He contributed so much to our Hospital and he will be so greatly missed by the medical community.  But he was also such a  personally wonderful human being that I would like to share a personal memory with you and the family.
           This was when I first had endometrial cancer in 2001 and was in the hospital following my hysterectomy,  in great pain and getting literally no assistance  (as the medical and hospital’s culture was quite different then than now).   So I was “just”  a patient out in the hall begging for some help and at least for an extra pillow, and crying,  when he found me.  And I still  well remember how upset he was, and how he said  “No one should be treated this way!”    And how he not only got me that pillow but also put me on a pain pump so that I could get the pain medication that I  so needed.  And  also  briefly visited me almost every day to see how I was doing.  
         His care and compassion meant the world to me, Julie, and I also think that Basil importantly helped to bring care and  kindness to the hospital staff’s culture.   So although my cancer has now returned & metastasized  (20 years later!) ,  I  will remain lastingly grateful for the huge personal kindness & compassion of your dear, late husband..   What an important and wonderful memory for me.
         And I also want to thank you  Julie, for sharing this dear man with so many needy people.  With your own so very busy life as a very successful author,   AND Mother  AND Grandmother,  I  don’t know how you have accomplished so much.  But I imagine that your loving & beloved Basil has importantly helped to support you.   May you and the children and  the grandchildren too  have many lastingly Wonderful  Memories of this exceptional human being.
  With Warmest Condolences from us both,
                      Patricia  Morton
                        
        
           

   

Best friends for over 60 years. New year's celebration together almost all of those years.  What memories

Julie and family: Jo Ann and I are so sorry to learn of Basil's passing. I worked with Basil for 30 years or so at the Medical Centre and I knew that he had been ill of late. Take care. Reynold Caskey

We were saddened today by news of Basil's passing. Blessed with
his skill, wit and intellect, his dedication to his art and the medical
community, he will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to you Julie and all your family.

Dr. Jack and Lydia Lake

I was sorry to hear of Dr. Johnston’s passing .As a Recovery Room Nurse,I cared for many of his patients.
My sincere condolences to the entire family.

I’m much saddened today by news of Basil's passing. I have fond memories of our time together in France in 1982 on an Opimian wine  tour.  My memories include Julie, Carl and Gerry Rubino, and my late wife, Claiborne.  
My condolences to you , Julie and to all your family.
James Moore
Toronto

We are greatly saddened by the passing of Basil, a valued friend and colleague for over 50 years. We are grateful for the wisdom gleaned from this unique individual and the impact that he had on our lives. The memories we have will continue to inspire us.
Our sympathies and love to Julie and family.
 Regards, Dr Ralph and Colleen Beamer 

So sorry to hear about Dr Johnston's passing. I was an Orthopedic nurse at St Joseph's and Civic Hospital and had the privilege of working with Dr Johnston for over 13 years. He was a very dignified person with a subtle, dry sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed. Coralee Vass RN.

OBITUARY

Basil William Johnston

April 17, 1938 – July 12, 2021

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