I wanted to remind al of John's freinds that this page will expire soon, it is only extended for one year without cost. I am hoping to run an "in memorium" on the 27th in Dad's favorite paper, the Globe and Mail. I will submit a "Lives Lived", but it may be no longer current. I welcome anyone to get in touch with me - Scott, at " bullinstinct@gmail.com. Ron, you particularly. I have many photos I could not put on this site.

A Loving Memory of John D. Johnson

Sundays will forever be my favourite day of the week because for years we, my growing family, drove 20 minutes north to have Sunday Dinner with Dad and Bruce. We started when my daughter Sonia was 7 or 8 and it continued until Dad moved back to BC in ‘98. Dad was a great cook. Roasts, his famous chilli and stew, Bruce's pea soup... we were always very well fed. Oh, and the ever present and much loved bottle of Mommesin. We always tried to have dinner finished in time to gather in the living room to watch Road to Avon Lea together, all 3 generations enjoying it. Then the adults wandered back into the kitchen, dishes and clean up time!, where the conversations were always lively and full of laughter, sitting around a massive, absolutely gorgeous hand crafted dining table Dad made. Having to get little ones home to bed, I always hated having to leave. But, we all knew, next Sunday we'd get to do it again! 

Sonia learned basic woodworking skills at her Grandad's side. His patience with the young hands and minds of both my children was still as it was, many years before with me and my brothers. I will remember the present Sonia made with Dad's guidance forever. A delightful "spice rack". It held a prominent place in the kitchen for years. Sadly, it eventually had to be replaced.  My son Erik was born during this time, so his first few years were part of this ritual. Dad adored my kids. ALL his grandchildren were his pride and joy. Truly. And yes, he carried pictures in his wallet.  Even at 3 or 4, Dad had Erik sanding wood and swinging a hammer. And painting, either milk paint or varnish, but projects just were not complete until they had a coat of something on them!

Dad is my hero. I will never stop being a "daddy's girl"... ever. Being the only daughter, did he sometimes favour me? HELL YA!, and to be honest, I loved it! Growing up, I constantly heard the line from adults, "Oh, being the only girl, your brothers must spoil you!" Are you kidding me??? I had to kick, scream and fight for every inch I got! But Dad was always there to say, "bully for you!" (his expression for something well done) when I accomplished even the most trivial things. The line, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" is running on a loop in my head these days. It is breaking my heart that I am not there with my family right now. Scott, Erik, Talis, Jaymz, my heart is there, right beside you guys... Goodbye Dad, and Happy Father's Day.

John Dawson Johnson was born in a small northern Ontario town, founded by his grandfather. The town of Little Current Ontario, on the South shore of Manatoulin Island  the world largest freshwater island.
John was born November 11th, 1925, Remembrance Day.
Tragedy struck early in his family's life when his young mother died of sepsis 11 days after his birth. Left to live with his grandparents at the age of two he spent a vagabond youth living in a series of Railroad hotels across Ontario.
 From always being that new guy in town, 9 schools in 12 years, the solitude taught him an enviable self-reliance, a love of the written word, a real understanding and curiosity of science, astrology and trains.
With his former wife Helen he made a small swim club, Agincourt Aquatic, into a powerhouse with his four children becoming champions and record holders.
As kids we travelled to swim meets, with all the costs, travel and most of all, time. When he was in the Corporate World he personally arranged the beginning of sponsorship to the sport of Competitive Swimming, by Esso Oil, funds that rapidly grew, helping Canada win gold. That Sponsorship lasted a generation. One man can make a difference..
 One thing I found out this week, he fought and won the bureaucratic battle to have Sunday openings of public pools in Toronto the Good. In the fifties, that city was still arguing over Sunday movie theatres being open.
We took great trips, Disneyland and California in 1959, leaving through Chicago and all the way down Route 66.
Washington D.C. and Florida, Little Current and the Bruce Peninsula, That Pontiac did some miles..
The father of 4, 3 sons and a daughter, he proved his Canadian patriotism. When work transferred the whole family to suburban Philadelphia in the 60's his motivation for change and returning to Canada was his sons, he would not see them sent to Vietnam.
He was the Dad who would loan you the car, a 61 Austin Healy Sprite, or his Pontiac Laurentian.
He also made you get a job if you wanted spending money, what a concept eh?
He was an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in The Boy Scouts, this brought him into the Canadian Forces in communication, his skills in Morse code and other forms gave him advancement to Regimental Sergeant Major, barking orders to older men, really boys too at Fort Henry, Kingston.
He was the varsity sports reporter for the Toronto Telegram, while studying medicine at Toronto University.
The decease dim could speak a reasonable Latin, which was fun, making up rude family mottos.
Musician, horn player, second war veteran, boat builder, fine carpenter, tennis player, photographer, journalist, newspaper man, corporate executive and most of all, a loving father, a fair trade for the later years

John used to spend a lot of time with me at my home. He shared so many stories of the adventurous life! -His pleasant incisive wit kept him the friend of many.  I'm lucky to have a couple copies of his book, one signed:
 
"To Ron.V
A kindred spirit,
surely.....
John J."

      -and I'll treasure them forever.

Dad, I spent my first Fathers Day without you. I was an ache, a shift in the continuum of my busy life'. We can say "better place", time tells and a hundred clichÃ©'s, but I miss you, I loved you. We will take care of your memories.
I'm off to George Derby today, your home for your passage. I will share remembrance with the 8 other men who passed in May 2012, perspective for sure. Scott

OBITUARY

John Dawson Johnson

November 11, 1925 – May 27, 2012

Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium

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