RONALD DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

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RONALD DUNCAN JOHNSTONE Ronald (Ron) Duncan Johnstone died Thursday, August 24, 2006 at the age of 77. Ron was born in Winnipeg on February 16, 1929, grew up in the West End of the City, graduated from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Commerce (1950) and obtained Chartered Accountant certification in 1954. From 1954 -1955 he trained as a pilot with the Reserve Squadron in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Claresholm, AB before returning to his native province in 1955 to practice chartered accountancy. In 1966, Ron became Director of Administration, Department of Health for the Province, and rose to Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance and Administration) in 1968, Associate Deputy Minister, Health and Social Development in 1975 and then Deputy Minister of the Department in 1976. During his 23 years with the Government of Manitoba, Ron advised Cabinet, Treasury Board and Cabinet Committees on policies, programs and fiscal issues. He was involved in Inter-Provincial and Federal-Provincial relations through Deputy Ministerial, Ministerial meetings and various working groups through three transitions of political ideology from Conservative to NDP and back to Conservative under Provincial Premiers Duff Roblin, Ed Schreyer and Sterling Lyons. He played a significant role in establishing Manitoba's Pharmacare, Day Care and Home Care Programs. He served on the Board of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. Upon stepping down from the post of Deputy Minister in 1984, Ron provided consulting services to various Departments of the Manitoba Government including the Department of Health, the Department of the Attorney General, as well as the Civil Service Commission before retiring at the age of 59 in 1988. Ron enjoyed good health, was active in the Community, curled at the Granite Curling Club for many years, worked hard at meticulously maintaining the yard and family home on Oxford Street and doing impressive home renovation projects. He golfed almost daily after retiring at either the Assiniboine Golf Club, The Dome, or his favorite courses in Palm Springs, CA. In May 2006, he supplemented his golf options with a brief associate membership at Southwood Golf and Country Club. At the outset of his illness in June 2006, his handicap was comfortably in the low 80's. He did not quite reach the goal of having his score match his age. Ron was a fine athlete from his Junior Hockey days through to the final year of his life. He passed his interest and considerable sports ability on to all of his children (Laureen and Lianne - speedskaters, Paul hockey and now golf, and Gail - marathon runner) and invested heavily in their childhood sports activities serving on the Boards of the River Heights Community Center, the River Heights Speed Skating Club, Manitoba Speedskating Association, Assiniboine Park Hockey Association respecting AA hockey teams. He valued these activities very highly as meaningful contributions to the achievements of his own children, and to his community. Predeceased by his parents, Duncan (1977), Ethel (1993) and first wife Maureen (nee Cancilla) in 1969, Ron is survived by his wife and best friend Betty; his much loved children, Paul, Laureen (Helmut Unruh), Gail (John Perry), and Lianne (Stuart Paull); grand-children, Andrea and David Unruh (Laureen), Susan and Caroline Fisher (Gail), Nicole Alman (nee Milas) and Amy Milas (Lianne). He will be missed by all his family including his brother Ken, sister-in-law Doreen of Bellville, ON, their children, Blair (Yolanda) and Nancy, both of Toronto; brother-in-law and great friend Bill Kowal; sister-in-law Pat Kowal (nee Cancilla) of Winnipeg; Betty's siblings in Alberta, Norma (Jim) Leslie, John (Barbara) Skocdopole and Harry (Kathy) Skocdople; all his associated nieces and nephews; and a long, long list of life-time friends, golf buddies and former work colleagues. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. in Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6 or Thoracic Surgery Trust Fund in support of Lung Transplantation, GE611 810 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9. THOMSON IN THE PARK Funeral Home Cemetery 1291 McGillivray Blvd. WWW.THOMSONINTHEPARK.COM

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 26, 2006