LORNE KENNEDY JOHNSTON

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LORNE KENNEDY JOHNSTON January 1, 1921 - January 6, 2005 With great sadness the family of Lorne Kennedy Johnston announces his passing on January 6, 2005 in the Palliative Care Unit in Morris General Hospital. Dad married LaDelle Batchelor on May 15, 1943 and enjoyed 45 years together. Delle passed away in 1988. In 1989 he married his old school chum Dorothy Steel. Unfortunately, Dorothy passed away in July of 2004. Dad was born in Emerson, MB on January 1, 1921 to an early pioneering family. He was the youngest child of the late Robert A. and Beatrice Johnston. He was predeceased by his parents as well as two sisters and eight brothers. Dad will be dearly missed by his five children, daughter Dawn (Paul), grandson Gene Bowers (Dana), great-grandsons, Jordan, Nolan, Ethan; daughter Jeanne Plett (Frank), grandsons, Ryan (Heather), Stephen (Angela) and great-granddaughter Emily, sons, Mitchell (Barb), granddaughter Caitlin, Douglas (Charlotte) and their children, Julia, Paul and Robert; David (Clara), grandchildren, Erin and Ainsley. He is also remembered by Dorothy's sons, Jon and Tom and their families. Joining us in remembering Dad are his brothers-in-law, Blake (Joy), Clair (Jackie) Batchelor; sisters-in-law, Marguerite Johnston, Margaret, Betty and Gwen Batchelor, Joan Irvine (Leon) and families, along with numerous nieces and nephews and their children and his many dear friends. Dad not only lived his life with honour, but he lived it to the fullest and enjoyed it to the very end. Sadly he was unable to watch Team Canada win their gold medal. In his younger years he raced horses in the local county fair circuits and was an avid hunter and fisherman and just enjoyed the great outdoors. He also loved his Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and many a bet was placed with his girls at the Emerson Care Home. Our father joined the military in 1939 and was sent overseas in 1940, travelling with his brother, Bob on the same troop ship. After arriving home from the war he was employed with Canadian National Railways for a few years. In 1950 he joined the Canada Customs Service retiring 33 and a half years later as a Custom Superintendent. Dad was very involved in the community and volunteered with many organizations, such as the Emerson School Board, building the Emerson Golf Course, Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Service and was a baseball umpire. He was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 77, Emerson, MB. During his retirement years, he and Mom were able to travel extensively and spent many winters as a snowbird in Texas but was always happy to return home to his beloved Emerson. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the medical and support staff of the Emerson Care Home and the Morris Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Morris, MB. A very special thanks to Willy Friesen and all the other volunteers and friends who tirelessly ran errands for Dad and spent countless hours visiting. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Lorne's life will take place at St. Andrews United Church, 3rd Street and Park, Emerson, MB on Tuesday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow at the Emerson Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emerson Care Home or a charity of one's choice. To those I left behind, You held my hand... I felt your strength, I was not alone. Wiebe Funeral Home, Altona in care of arrangements. 204-324-5404

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2005