Joseph Ambrose Thomas Johns

February 7, 1920 - January 6, 2016

Tommy passed away peacefully during his morning nap at home in Regina, just shy of his 96th birthday. He is predeceased by, first and foremost, the love of his life Josie (July 1, 2015) and his daughters Laraine and Janet, his parents Henry and Josephine Johns Agecoutay, brothers Albert, Alphonse, Francis and George and sisters Justine and Mary. Left to mourn him are Dad’s pride and joy his children: Carol (Ron) and family, Maureen (Lee), Tom (Janice) and family, Dwayne (Michelle) and family, Al (Tina) and family, Cathie (Ron) and family, Rose (Larry) and family, as well as numerous grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, and others who he took as sons or daughters over the years. Many other extended family members and friends, too numerous to mention, will also mourn his passing. We are grateful to our Dad/Grandfather for the gift of life, for showing us the value of family and for understanding the value of a great work ethic. He taught us the importance of being dignified as well as the healthiness of humour through teasing. In his good nature, he blessed every one of us with our own well earned nicknames. Dad was a Lebret Industrial (Residential) School Survivor, he valued education for all his family, believing it was important to ‘be smart’ and to strive to be the best a person can be. Dad was very proud to have served as an Orderly at Fort San, where he met and fell in love with Mom. He worked there until its closure when he became employed as Building Supervisor at the Echo Valley Conference Center until his retirement in 1984. Dad’s co-workers were more than just colleagues to him, they became life long friends. Everyone who knew Dad will recall his wonderful storytelling abilities, incredible memory and sense of humour. Dad loved Sunday family dinners, drives around the lakes and family gatherings such as Christmas, birthdays and picnics. Another of Dad’s great passions was his love of music, playing guitar and fiddle and loving vocalists with a sentimental style. He performed at numerous functions with his siblings back in the day. Dad loved horses (his first car was a horse) and he was proud of his team, Pearl and Lucy who he dressed up for hire at weddings. Over the years, Dad had an impressive assortment of cars that he kept absolutely spotless. He was also an unofficial taxi for countless people in the valley, including those he’d go out and give a ride to on cold winter nights, ensuring their safe arrival to their families at home. The Johns Family would like to thank all the staff at College Park II for their friendship and care, as well as various health care professionals who showed Dad the utmost dignity. Thank you to Chief Todd Peigan, Pasqua First Nation Council and members. Appreciation to each and every friend over the years in the Qu’Appelle Valley and beyond. A memorial service will be held at Victoria Avenue Funeral Home at 2080 East Victoria Avenue in Regina on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Private family interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that acts of kindness be done in his memory.

Arrangements under the direction of Victoria Avenue Funeral Home and Cremation, Regina, SK.