It is with deep love and gratitude that we say goodbye to our beloved father, Alexander Johnston. Dad died peacefully on November 19, 2016 in his 90th year, in his home and surrounded by his devoted family.
Dad lived a long and good life. Born in Kenmore, Ontario, he grew up in Cornwall and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at eighteen. Posted to Ottawa, he met the love of his life Rita Hickson, his soulmate for 58 wonderful years. Together they raised a family of six, all of whom survive him: Susan (late Jean-Charles Raby), David (Nadia Maslov), Vicky, Karen (Norm Kenney), Kate, and Jane (Rob Evans). Dad also leaves his grandchildren Andrew Dawrant (Carol), Jessica Johnston (Steve), Catherine Martin (Alexandre), Nicholas Raby (Camille), Vincent Johnston, Benjamin Johnston and Matthew Johnston (Emily). His great-grandchildren are: Alex, Ariel, Andy and Anita Dawrant; and William and Victoria Martin. He also leaves his step-grandchildren Nathan, Anne, Theressa, Kate and Andrea, and their children Saraphena, Sophie, Audrie, Quinton, and Adhara.
Dad is survived by his brother Robert Johnston (Theresa) and his sister in-law Hélène Jobin. He was predeceased by his mother Victoria Pecore/Picard Barkley Johnston Lavigne, his father Nehemiah James Johnston, and his siblings Lillian, Rose, Pearl, Bessie and Harvey Barkley, and Allen Johnston. He was also predeceased by his in-laws Margaret and Joe Foohey, and Sheila, Beth, Michael, Bert and Isabelle Hickson. He leaves many wonderful relatives and friends.
Dad was resourceful and hardworking. In addition to his long RCAF career he was a real estate broker, art teacher and movie projectionist. He was a renaissance man, with many talents, great resilience, and a strong work ethic. He set a good example for us all to live by.
Dad’s true legacy was his kindness. His other remarkable attributes included his depth of feeling, his artistry, his positive spirit and his love of people. He saw everyone as his friend. He and Mom shared a deep enjoyment of classical music. Dad was also an avid motorcyclist, dancer and a pretty decent cook. He was a joy to be with.
In the face of setbacks in life, he always kept his optimism and faith that life was essentially good. Dad marvelled at existing in the cosmos and believed that we all walked on holy ground. He was a deeply spiritual man, although you might be hard pressed to identify the exact nature of his spirituality – whether Catholic or Baptist or something else entirely. In typical Dad humour he always said “I didn’t believe in reincarnation in my last life, I don’t believe in it in this one and I probably won’t believe it in my next life either”.
Dad was always immensely proud of Mom, sharing her joy of music and encouraging her in all of her accomplishments. The depth of care and devotion that he showered upon her throughout their life together, and especially in her final years, was evidence of their deep and abiding love. Dad has now gone to meet Mom in the great beyond, where he will most likely resume writing her New Year’s resolutions for her, as he always did.
In recent months, Dad received excellent care enabling him to stay home in Beacon Heights Residence until the end. Our family would like to express deepest thanks to all of Dad’s kind and wonderful caregivers, and to his dear friend Louise Sullivan, for her generous and compassionate support.
God speed back to mom, Dad.
Visitation will take place at the Hall of Colours of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue (east of Vanier Parkway) on Saturday, November 26, after 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bruyère Foundation would be appreciated.