Obituary of Donald Johnson

Life Legacy With great sadness the family announces the passing of Donald William Johnson, age 90, of Fredericton. Don was a unique and talented man who lived every day to its fullest. A musician, hunter, fisherman, pilot, storyteller, family man, snowmobiler, and a man of many other talents and interests. He leaves this world with no regrets but with many friends and admirers. Born in Upper Hainesville, N.B. on October 22, 1925, he was the son of Harold and Gladys (Jones) Johnson. Survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia (Carle); daughters Kathy Watt (Murray), Fredericton; Lynn Whalen (Bill), Moncton and Joy Johnson of Rhodes Corner, Nova Scotia. Don is also survived by a brother, Willis Johnson (Doris) and a sister, Myrna Kelly of Fredericton along with several nieces and nephews and numerous Grand nieces and nephews. He adored his seven grandchildren who will miss his incredible story telling; David Watt (Amy) and Amy Parrill (Mark) of Fredericton; Kate Whalen and Matt Whalen, both of Halifax; Julia Whalen of Toronto and Geoffrey Burgoyne and Ryan Burgoyne of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, as well as their dad, Rick Burgoyne. Great Grandchildren, Blake and Charlie Parrill; Cassia, Jaxson and twins Anderson and Alexa Watt, all of Fredericton. In addition to his parents, Don is predeceased by brother Darrell Johnson and his wife Edith; sister Doris Blaney and her husband Alden; sister Alma Tucker and her husband Elwood; brother-in-law Monty Kelly; and nephew Dennis Johnson. Don was employed by NB Power for 31 years, retiring in 1985. In retirement he and Pat travelled extensively. During his 8 years working on the Miramichi for NB Power he acquired his private pilots’ license and enjoyed many years flying his “Fleet Canuck”. Upon being transferred to Fredericton in 1961 the young family built a home in Silverwood and Don and Pat remained there until April of last year when they retired to an apartment in Shannex Parkland Governor Hall. One of Don’s greatest joys came from music, and he and Pat had three musical daughters. Family jam sessions were frequent in their Silverwood home. Don sang in 2 quartets, the first being “The Gospel Quartet” of Keswick. In 1991 when Rev. Paul Thompson became pastor of the Island View Baptist Church, Pastor Paul, Don, Val Worden and Ross Stephenson formed “The Good News Quartet”. The group sang for the last time in December, 2015. He was Baptist by faith and was an active member of the Island View Baptist Church as a deacon and member of the choir. Resting at York Funeral Home, Brookside Drive, there will be visitation on February 11, 2016 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A Funeral Service will take place at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11 am with Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Honorary Pallbearers are grandsons, David Watt, Matt Whalen, Geoff Burgoyne and Ryan Burgoyne. Reception will follow in the Fireside Room. Interment will take place in Upper Hainesville Community Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or Island View Baptist Church. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com.