Obituary of James JOHNSTON

JAMES H JOHNSTON On June 16, 2009 at Deer Lodge Centre, James Johnston, loving husband and father passed away at the age of 87. Besides Patricia his wife of sixty years, he is survived by daughters Laura, Ann(Sid) of Terrace BC, Lyn (Steve)Billericay, England, sons William(Stacey) Chilliwack BC, and Don(Karen)Brandon. He leaves behind to remember him his grandchildren Graham and Glen Johnston, David, Jonathan and Amy Peltier, Lloyd Davis and Kate and Thomas Johnston and his one great-grandchild Aaron Peltier. He also leaves to mourn his passing brothers and sisters Robert, Paul (Joan), Rosemary L�vesque, Celia Ward-Check and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Edward. Jim was born and raised in old St. James. In 1939 he enlisted in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, serving in England, Belgium and Holland. On his return he worked for Silverwood Dairies and the Schieff Fur Trading Company at Brochet, MB. He went to work for the CNR, retiring in 1987 after 37 years of service. In early 1974 Jim lost his legs in a work accident; it's a testament to his will and determination that he was up and walking within three months and back on the job at C Tower, Symington Yard within six months. Prior to his accident Jim golfed, bowled and curled avidly enjoying the company of friends and family. He loved to dance. Following his accident he continued to bowl for years at the Park Alleys. The sound of a saxophone or a pipe organ would bring a wide smile to his face and he could climb every step if slowly, into Westminster Church, taking his seat in the balcony and listen to the regular concerts. Upon retirement he took the opportunity to travel to places that had delighted his imagination…to Barbados where he met many of his cousins for the first time (his mother having been born in the British West Indies). He'd always wanted to travel the canals of Europe on a barge and traded that wish for cruise on a ship through the Panama Canal in1995. A winter trip to Portugal was wonderful and once to Las Vegas was enough. As for cards Jim lived the life of a determined bridge and crib player. Whether in a smokey kitchen with in-laws on a Saturday night or on a afternoon at home with one of the kids, cards were just fine with Jim. In later years he played bridge online in the middle of the night with people around the world including one traveling salesman working out of Bangalor. For as long as he could drive Jim played cards five or six days a week with like-minded souls at the Gwen Secter Centre and half a dozen community clubs around town. Jim was a gentle man, generous to a fault, a loving husband and father, and a loyal friend. We will miss him. His grit and determination to live a full active life were a quiet inspiration to many. In keeping with Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral service. However, his friend and his bridge partners are invited to join the family in a Celebration of his life on Saturday June 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Parish Hall at the corner of Osborne St. and Arnold Ave. Please use the side entrance. For those needing an elevator, please use the Front Entrance. The family thank Boniface Home Care, especially Pauline and Pasquale for their daily care and all the staff of Tower 7 Deer Lodge Centre for their dedicated care and compassion these last few months. If friends so desire, donations in James's memory may be made to a charity of their own choosing.