JOHNSTON, LLOYD
March 16, 1927 to July 8, 2011
It is with great sadness that the family of Lloyd Johnston announce his passing on July 8, 2011.
He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Joy, sons David of Salmon Arm, Lorne of Edmonton, Kent of Innisfail, Ewen (Sandy) of North Vancouver and Chris (Darcy) of Salmon Arm; seven grandchildren, Lindsey, Mark, Troy, Chelsey, Denton, Taylor and Angela and 2 great grandchildren Ethan and Marcus.
Born in Edmonton, Lloyd grew up on their farm between Mannville and Irma, AB. He was predeceased by his parents Herbert and Gunvor.
Lloyd joined the R.C.M.P. at the age of 18 years training in Regina. His first posting was Campbellton, N.B. and then to Flin Flon and Swan River, Manitoba. Around this time he joined the R.C.M.P. Musical Ride. He toured the entire United States with the ride in 1949 and in 1953 rode as part of the Coronation parade for Queen Elizabeth II in London, England.
Transferred to Penticton, B.C. in 1953, he met and married Joy MacLeod. Future transfers in British Columbia included Stewart (1955), Chilliwack (1958), Courtney (1963), Salmon Arm (1966) and Revelstoke (1970). He headed the detachments in Salmon Arm and Revelstoke reaching the rank of Staff-Sergeant.
In 1971, at the age of 44, Lloyd retired from the force and with the desire to return to Salmon Arm, accepted the position of Personnel Manager at Federated Co-op.
Lloyd served for 6 years on town council. He was passionate about sports and continued playing hockey as an old timer. He was best known for his role as hockey referee, baseball and fastball umpire, as well as a football official. Joining the Rotary Club in 1968, he stayed actively involved until his passing. Lloyd also was an active member of the R.C.M.P. Veterans Association. Recognizing his contributions to the community, he was awarded the Governor General’s “Caring Canadian” award in 1998 at a ceremony in Victoria.
All five boys followed their Dad’s love of sport and were active in many, especially hockey, competitive swimming and baseball. In the early years, the family spent summer holidays camping in Penticton on Okanagan Lake.
This love of the water was enjoyed in later years with the purchase of a cabin at Fraser’s Beach (Tappen Beach Estates) in 1977 and was a summer meeting place for all of the family for over 30 years. His bravery was best displayed when he packed up five kids in a station wagon with a 15 foot trailer to travel to Expo ‘67 in Montreal and on to P.E.I. to visit grandparents and relatives.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Shuswap Lake Hospital and Bastion Place for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shuswap Lake Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life Service for Lloyd will be held at the First United Church, Salmon Arm, BC on Saturday July 23, 2011 at 11:00 am, a reception will follow in the Church hall.
Email condolences may be sent to Lloyd’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium, Salmon Arm.