Peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, on Monday, April 9, 2012, Donald Johnston, in his 72nd year. Son of the late Frank Billings Johnston and Ethel Irma Sarsfield. Survived by his brother Bruce, nephew Daniel of North Bay, niece Julie Johnston-Hayes of Sudbury and great-nephews Reed and Jake.
Family and friends will be received at the Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, 273 Broadway, Orangeville (519-941-2630) on Saturday, May 19 from one o’clock until time of the memorial service in the chapel at 2 o’clock. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 202 – 2227 South Millway, Mississauga L5L 3R6 or Canadian Diabetes Association, 1 – 14 Irvin Street, Kitchener N2H 1K8. Condolences may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Les Grzybowski
I’ve known Don since 1975 – have taught, played sports and bridge with him all those years. He was a great freind and will be missed a great deal. My deepest condolences
Les
Harry Wilson
Colleague, theatre devotee, hockey buddy, close friend – all of these for forty years, and all over too suddenly and too soon. Two weeks ago at the rink we were talking about the summer and next season, and laughing at our past zaniness in the world of greasepaint and limelight…
Don – “DJ” or “Deege” as we all knew him – was an unforgettable character and will live on in our hearts and minds. My family and I extend our most sincere condolences to his family and the “special people” in his life.
Lorna (Hawke) Bowman
To the Johnston Family, my sincere condolences on the loss of your brother and uncle. Don, or “Mr.” Johnson as we tend to refer to all our past teachers, will be well remembered by many students of Mayfield SS. English class was certainly never boring, and he always welcomed the chance to share ideas and debate opinions.
Carol Pugsley
My thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family. I remember him fondly as a teacher who was seldon seen without a smile, at Mayfield S.S. He went the extra mile to relate to the students. He will be missed. I am now in Ottawa but will come “home” for his memorial in May.
Dylan Lunenburg
I met Don in 2004 when I started volunteering at the South Simcoe Railway, where Don will be missed so much. He was often a saving grace on operating days when he would take care of the ticket office. For the last couple of operating seasons, Don’s been more or less in there on his own. Generally being the first SSR member the public meets, Don always strived to welcome people and create a great first impression. I’ll always remember the times he’d stand in the station doorway and yell my name across the platform because the computer was misbehaving. Don always had a story to tell or something to comment on. He was always a happy face and a pleasure to have around. I personally will miss him greatly, and the SSR has lost a family member, and wonderful volunteer.
So long Don, and thanks.
Paul VanZant
My condolences to the Johnston family. DJ was a valued colleague and friend; master of trivia; stalwart defenseman and long-time organizer of Friday night Mayfield hockey. If there is hockey in the great beyond, Don is probably helping to divide up the teams right now – and DJ is playing blue! Keep your stick on the ice DJ!
Mike Lawrence
I’ve known Don for the last 6 years volunteering at the South Simcoe Railway in Tottenham. He was a valued member of the team, Foreman of the Coach Crew, Ticket Agent and a great guy to work with.
He was with the group at a meeting on Sunday Apr 1st where he mentioned he was not feeling well and was having some tests done. Obviously he was unaware at the time that his Train of Life was rapidly approaching the end of track.
We shared jokes via email at least 3 or 4 times a week for the past few years, he had a great sense of humor .He was very well travelled and had many interesting and humerous stories to share.
My condolences to his family and friends, I miss him greatly.
Rest in Peace my friend, heaven is a more interesting place for you being there. Happy Rails until we meet again.
Dave Kay
A great English and Drama teacher, loved by all. A warm heart, an amazing sense of humour, DJ gave of himself to all who worked with him, played hockey with him, socialized with him. He will be sadly missed by so many, whom he has touched.
Condolences to his family. Rest in peace DJ… you left a piece of yourself with us all.
Mike Slinger
It was sad to hear that my “old shipmate” had died. He was “Sars” to me and three other close friends when we worked together as waiters with CP Steamships out of Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay.
I always remember Sars as my intellectual mentor because of the late night talks after our shifts to debate philosophy, religion and politics. About ten years ago the five amigos journeyed to see the sister ship to our ship, the S.S. Keewatin, on Lake Michigan.
I think of Sars as part of my “coming of age” phase. Great memories. If I can, I will be at his memorial on May 19.
Mike
Rosie Patriquin
I will always remember DJ as my across the desk colleague in the revamped Mayfield English Office.who’s desk I sometimes reorganized after sweeping off several Coke cans,
We shared teaching ideas, jlots of laughs & love of music. DJ was even kind enough when Cec and I moved from Brampton to Oville to help me with the move because Cec was presenting at a conference out of town.
My condolences to all of Don’s extended family. You and we all were lucky to have been part of his cheerful life
I wish you strength in wonderful memories.
Regards
Rosie
Tom South
I’ve known Don 30 plus years. Starting at Mayfield S.S., never had him as a teacher and met up with him once again at Central Peel S.S. as he was the Drama teacher there and I was working as a custodian and many conversations of a variety of topics took place. He will be sadly missed and am sorry to hear of his passing . My condolences to the family.
Don & Bev[Vivian] Lunney
We regret having to send you our sincere sympathy from afar because we won’t be home for the summer yet in order to do so personally..We do however want you to know that our hearts are with you at this difficult time.
Don & I grew up together, competed in high school verse speaking contests , were neighbours down the street, and finally I taught with Don J along with my husband Don at Mayfield S.S.
We always enjoyed visiting with Don over brunch with our retired teaching friends.He quietly struggled to recover so well from his recent surgeries & always made the effort to keep in touch with all of us at that time.We all will miss Don J.
Jane Magee
Don (Mr. Johnson) was by far the best english teacher I had through school. We laughed so much, so often together. I have thought of him frequently over the years. Actually he was one of my favourite teachers period! My condolences to his family and friends. (Mayfield S.S. 1977-1979)
Jane Magee
Laura Pratt
Just skipped over to Mr. Johnston’s Facebook page to check in on the big man. How devastating to learn he’s gone. I am so sorry. Mr. Johnston was instrumental to my growing-up years. He celebrated my love of theatre and always saw to it that I was featured in the plays he directed. His attentiveness meant so much to me. I can’t believe he’s gone. This is very upsetting news to me. Goodbye, Mr. Johnston. You were always such a star.
Jackie Yeomans
I remember Don and Bruce from Brampton High. My condolences, Bruce, to you and your family.
There is an old newspaper photo of Don in my Classmates postings for anyone who wants to remember the old days. The picture was of Don winning at verse speaking and was posted on the BHS school page in the Conservator in 1959.