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GORDON MCALISTER JOHNSTON
Date of Passing: Jan 28, 2020
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GORDON MCALISTER JOHNSTON
He is survived by his loving wife, Eloise, children, Carl (Patricia), Neil (Cathy), Diana (William Young), Heather (Eric Hellberg); grandchildren, Andrew, Charlie, Thomas, Joseph, Sarah (Vince Ceccarelli), and great-granddaughter Sofia; brother Bruce (Laura), sister Barbara Ann (Michael Balshaw); sisters-in-law, Joan and Charlotte, Linda (Richard "Smokey" Smith), Wendy (Tracey McKeague), Doreen and Joanne; brother-in-law Ronald (Joyce). He was predeceased by brothers, Stewart and Brian, and brothers-in-law, Larry and Jim. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families.
Gordon, son of David and Barbara Johnston, was born and lived most of his life in St. Vital. He attended Norberry School and Glenlawn Collegiate. At the University of Manitoba he earned his BSc and BEd degrees. There he met Eloise and they married in 1958.
He began teaching at Glenwood School in 1959, transferring to Dakota Collegiate in 1965. His career was highlighted by the two years training teachers in Ghana, accompanied by Eloise and their young children.
Gordon pursued a wide range of interests from butterfly collecting, stamp collecting, racing pigeons, growing cacti and following the stock market, to art and music appreciation. With his education and experience as a young adult in geology, every trip was accompanied by a narrative of the geological formations he and his travelling companions observed. Walking and stopping to talk to people was his lifelong pleasure. He was proud of his four children and their accomplishments. Gordon will be remembered for his sense of humour, his appreciation of natural phenomena and genuine interest in the people he met.
Gordon enjoyed his retirement: continuing his travels, meeting with his breakfast groups, the South Family YMCA and the Tache Adult Day Program.
The family thanks his home care workers and the staff of Victoria General Hospital 5 South Ward for their kind and compassionate care.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2020
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Mr Johnston was my grade 11 biology teacher at Dakota Collegiate. He was a great teacher who looked very impressive with his beard and white lab coat. He made every effort to make his classes as interesting as possible. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Steven Geiger (Former student) on: Mar 28, 2020
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Mr. Johnston was my 11th grade biology teacher. He was one of my favourites, a born teacher who loved his subject and loved to see the lights go on behind his students' eyes. More recently, he's been an instantly recognizable figure-- in his beard and Tilley hat-- always on the move through St. Vital. Sad to think I'll never see him again, and wish I'd had the time and opportunity to stop and chat more often. My condolences to Mrs. Johnston and family members; but especially to Carl and Neil, whom I remember from my high school days. - Posted by: Alix Venema (former student) on: Mar 16, 2020
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Mr. Johnston was my Gr. XI Biology teacher. He was one of my favourite teachers. I was sad to hear he passed. My condolences to all of Gordon Johnston’s family. - Posted by: Debra McCarthy (Lussier) (Former Student in 1973-1974) on: Mar 14, 2020
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So many childhood visits to Aunt Eloise and Uncle Gordon's home. I loved the cactus room as I thought of it. He could make them bloom at will. The pigeons made me nervous. Some people eat them you know. Also days at Grandparents cottage, climbing the "cliff" that he knew every layer of. I think it was 15ft high! If you said something that he did not quite believe he'd squint one eye and see right through you. Fiercesomely kind is what I thought of him. I will miss him. - Posted by: Kathleen Christensen (Niece) on: Mar 14, 2020