FREDERICK SOPHANIUS JOHNSON

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FREDERICK SOPHANIUS JOHNSON It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather Frederick Sophanius Johnson. On January 3, 2013 the world lost a great man. Dad left us at the blessed age of 93 after a trying year. Fred was born on January 2, 1920 in Stony Hill, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his parents Sam and Margaret, his brothers David, Sigmar and Barney, his sister Mary, wife Lil and son-in-law Lorne Neil. He leaves behind his children Jim (Elaine), Dorothy (Jim), Frances and Les, along with grandchildren Nikki (Jason), Michelle (Nick), Brandi (Brent), Jill (Ryan), Jen (Brad), Paula, Crystal and many beautiful great-grandchildren. Fred and Lil married in 1945 and began their life in Lundar, Manitoba where Fred worked for Breckman Bros. and the Municipality. Fred was a gentle soul who never shied away from hard work. He was a kind, generous and patient man who spent his life helping just about anyone. He was an avid sports fan who loved baseball, hockey, football and especially curling. Until his death he talked about his days playing ball with his brother and old time hockey. Growing up in the country, he had a real love of nature, especially wildlife. To this day, he held on to many memories of sitting in a bush or on a boat with his line in the water. Some of our fondest memories are of him fixing our cars and our lives. He was resourceful and loved tinkering with any trinkets he found in his travels. He was well known to school secretaries for delivering lunches and shuttling his grandchildren to and from school. He loved a homemade pie, his fedora and feeding the geese. He was especially proud of his Icelandic heritage and loved a cup of coffee and a piece of vinatarta. In his 93 years, he didn't travel much but he helped deliver many newspapers, filled many tanks of gas and taught his granddaughters how to read a dipstick. He was never more than a phone call away and loved going to Timmies for a coffee and an old fashioned plain donut. I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.' Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford If family were the measure of wealth, he was a rich man. He will forever be remembered for his bright blue eyes and his collection of ball caps. Dad / Gramps you gave your life to make ours better and for that we will always be grateful. Thanks for being someone we've leaned on - someone who taught us values that will last a lifetime. No matter where you are, you'll always be a part of us - in thought, in our hearts, in love.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2013