Peter Allan Johnson
July 8, 1937 - November 30, 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Allan Johnson, November 30th, 2013. Peter was born July 8th, 1937 in Bradford, England. Peter was predeceased by his biological father, Thomas Johnson when he was a very young boy. Peter was also predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Doris and Bert Bester and his sister Margaret Rose Bell.
Peter leaves behind to celebrate life are his children: Samuel (Jennifer), Sandra, Steven (Mary), and Stuart, his brother Joseph P. Johnson as well as Elizabeth, the mother of their children and his wife for many years. Peter was a loving grandfather to Seth, Kaelan, Nathaniel, Isaac, Trent, Lillian, and Samantha. He will be greatly missed.
Peter was the “special Uncle” to his sister’s daughters: Joanie, Brenda, Jackie and Cindy, and he was always so honored to be able to be there as a part of their lives and treasured the connection he had with each one of them.
Peter also leaves a host of great nieces and nephews and a host of extended relatives and friends.
Peter will be dearly missed by Barbara Henshall. He dearly loved her companionship, friendship and loving care for Peter in these past years. The family is indebted to her for the loyalty she blessed Peter with.
Peter was friends to many in this community, to name a few: Quentin, Hugh, Wayne, Ed, Paul, Richard, and Tony. Peter valued all his friendships dearly.
Mr. Johnson was a teacher for 35 years mainly in Campbell River. Even after retirement he continued to be very active in our community as a member of the Kinsmen, Legion, Eagles, Elder College, Retired Teacher’s Assn, Council of Canadians, Green Party, just to name a few. Peter was active in politics, as an Alderman and also served as a School Board Trustee.
He loved people and that was evident in his TV interviews on “Everyone has a Story” and his newspaper column “Johnson’s Jottings”. Over the years Peter wrote books about fishing, tales of his own and of others. All of his writings were flavored with humor, insight and a zest for life.
Donations can be made in Peter’s memory to the charity of your choice. If you wish to get flowers, please bring them to someone who doesn’t receive flowers very often, let the smile of a gift unexpected keep your memory of Peter alive.
A service of remembrance will be held on Sunday December 8th, 2013 at 3 p.m.
at the Baptist Church, 260 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River, and reception to follow.
Our Dad scribed the following and gave these instructions: “Please print in the newspaper as is – Thanks Dad (2008)”
Peter Johnson of Campbell River, Ottawa, St. Jean Quebec, Fort St. John, Vancouver, Port Alice, Gull Lake, Champion, and Bradford, Yorkshire England played his last game of golf, caught his last salmon, rowed his last estuary, played his last game of poker, typed his last column, wrote his last book, walked his last beach, drank his last pint, sang his last karaoke song, and scribed his own obituary as follows.
“I was born July 8, 1937 in Bradford, lived there till I was nine and then came to Canada because my Mother became a war bride after marrying a Canadian soldier (my Dad died in 1942). I lived in the above places and was fortunate enough to marry Elizabeth and have four children with her – Samuel, Sandra, Steven, and Stuart. She put up with me for 22 years – is there not some type of medal for that?
“I had the greatest job in the world for 35 years – I was a teacher from grades four to junior college and so lucky because the students came to me as strangers and except for a few sourpusses, they all ended up as friends. I was not a great teacher but I was a good one and really enjoyed the wonderful turmoil of working with kids – especially teenagers.
“Politics fascinated me and I was a member of most parties both federally and provincially but each of them claimed strict adherence to their policies, which is nonsense. I really like the Council of Canadians – from May Tuningly to Maude Barlow and all those wonderful people in-between. The public elected me four times to office – twice as municipal councilor and twice as school board trustee. Both were enjoyable and despite what the average person thinks, most people in public office and public administration are super and honest people.
“What I enjoyed most about life, besides walking in a forest or on a beach, was the people I met – perhaps you! And that is why I took the time before I passed over to write this obit. I had such good pals, both male and female, who liked me and accepted me for what I was! And I loved life and them so passionately. Thank you for being a part of my life, for enriching it, for liking and loving me.
“I will miss seeing my grandchildren grow up and my children reach my age but that is all right because my life was good, and full, and so precious thanks to the times that we had together.
“Please, please do not grieve, do not feel that I left you, and do not feel alone. As Vera Lynn sang, “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”.
“If you want a moment with me at any time, go to a beach and throw a nice stone into the water as far as you can and tell it to make its way up to above the tide again in a thousand years, and smile.
“God Bless”. ~ Peter Allan Johnson