Dec 12, 1946 - Mar 18, 2018
It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Gary Johnston, our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He leaves behind his wife, Shelley; children, Brad (Nicole) and Donna (Tracy); grandchildren, Alexa, Samuel, Melissa and Jason (Katie); great grandchildren, Seianna, Emilio, Isaiah, Jaden and Darian; and the mother of his children, Linda (Tim) Pelton.
Gary was very proud of his family, he looked forward to more opportunities to tell them.
Gary was born in New Toronto, ON (now known as Mississauga) to parents Russell James Johnston and Doris Mildred Johnston (nee Owles). As much a parent to him over the years was his paternal grandmother, Irene 'Cassie' Doherty, whom he loved dearly. Mr. Johnston's work in construction meant frequent moves for them and Gary recalled that any time they relocated, Grandma Doherty was always there--he knew he could count on her. His childhood was spent in Toronto, North Vancouver and the Chilcotin.
The family moved to Winnipeg when Gary was a young teen. It was in 'Friendly Manitoba' that he began his work experience. His father gave him his blessing to go work on the farm of a friend where he would earn his board, learn some useful skills and stretch his wings a bit. Perhaps it was this hardworking community, where neighbours learned to depend upon each other, that helped shape Gary's work ethic and instill in him the value of friendship.
Gary met Linda Jean Reid in Winnipeg and they married October 15, 1965. They made the big move to Salmon Arm in 1967 where Gary found employment at the plywood mill in Canoe. He also served as a volunteer fireman and enjoyed the friends he made in the community. Gary married young and prior to that had dropped out of High School. Despite his responsibilities as a young husband and father, Gary determined to finish his education and commuted daily to Kamloops where he attended what was then Caribou College, completing his grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 in just one year.
The family moved to Kamloops in 1971 and Gary started working for Canadian Pacific Railway shortly thereafter. He was a conscientious employee and worked his way up from the rail yard to position of Conductor and served his fellow employees as local union chairman in the course of his 31 years.
Gary loved the outdoors and you could often find him hiking the hills of Kamloops with four or five of his good buddies, sledding in the winter, boating in the summer, camping, and fishing the hot spots of BC. In 2003, after retirement, Gary moved back to the Chilcotin and made his home at Nimpo Lake, BC. He thought it was a little bit of heaven. He met his wife, Shelley, there working at a fishing lodge and as much as he loved to fish he always claimed she was the best thing he ever caught. Gary and Shelley married in 2013 and settled in Tappen, April of 2015. He continued his active involvement in politics and recently had taken on a personal project to campaign for an MRI machine for the Shuswap General Hospital.
Gary had great personal courage and chose to see life's hurdles as simply things to overcome. His willingness to serve as ambassador for the CNIB in the Salmon Arm area is further evidence of his positive outlook. The family wishes to thank you for being Gary's friend--you have greatly enriched his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Gary at Bowers Funeral Home in Salmon Arm on Saturday, April 14th at 2 PM with a reception following at the same site. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gary's life.
Online condolences can be sent to Gary's family through his obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com.
Bowers Funeral Home