Obituary of Douglas "Doug" George JOHNSON

November 3, 1944 – Saint John, New Brunswick
October 27, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Doug Johnson of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the age of 75 years.

Doug was born in Saint John, NB, the youngest of four children of E. Clifford and Agnes (Babcock) Johnson.  After graduating from Saint John High School in 1962, he began his studies at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton in sciences before transferring to the Faculty of Engineering from which he received his Civil Engineering degree in 1968.

Doug began his career with the Montreal Engineering Company (MONENCO) in Port Hawkesbury, NS.  His work took him to job sites in Newfoundland, Montreal, and Saskatchewan, where he met Helen Wood.  Doug and Helen married, and moved to Calgary in 1973 where they raised their sons Stephen and Aaron. Doug remained with MONENCO one of Canada’s top engineering firms for his entire career. Doug was a contract specialist who worked primarily in procurement on large infrastructure projects built throughout Alberta, Canada, and beyond.

Doug was a hard working, tenacious, highly ethical person, and some of the contracts he designed have lasted for more than forty years.  He was a notorious negotiator and saved the Alberta government millions of dollars on various megaprojects.  Although he had a demanding job Doug made time to camp with his sons and support their activities.

Doug had many interests. In the nineties he took up navigation, joined a sailing group and sailed the southern BC coast. He cycled and hiked with friends in the Rockies. After early retirement he became fascinated with crossword puzzles and politics. Doug was a keen genealogist devoting countless hours investigating his family tree and sharing research with relatives near and far. He enjoyed his cruise to Alaska, a New Zealand camping trip, and visits with family and friends in British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritimes. Doug relished a good meal with wine and lively conversation.

Doug was a loyal friend who maintained lifelong friendships with former classmates and colleagues. For many years he organized the annual reunion of former MONENCO colleagues and met daily for breakfast with neighbourhood friends at his local McDonald’s. Doug was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). Doug was proud of his award for being one of three people who have lived the longest with Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes in Canada, in his case, for sixty-five years.

Despite his many health challenges Doug maintained a positive attitude and rarely complained. Highly disciplined with his diet and exercise Doug was able to live a full life.  He encouraged others to follow his example.  Even though he had been a very shy child   Doug was no shrinking violet and did not suffer fools.

Doug kept in close contact with his siblings and made extra effort to attend important family events.  Many good times were had at Sunday dinners and holidays with his sister Mary and her family. Fiercely independent, and a force of nature, a man who cared deeply for his family and friends.

Doug will be fondly remembered and greatly  missed by his sons, Stephen (Cherise) of Guelph, ON  and Aaron (Nataliya) of The Hague, Netherlands; grandchildren, Hayden, Kennedy of Guelph, ON, and Alexander of The Hague; his sisters Carolyn Johnson of Saint John, NB and Mary Rae Stepaniuk of Cochrane, AB;  his sister-in-law Lee Johnson of Richmond, BC,  and many  nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across Canada, USA, and UK.  Doug was predeceased by his parents, his elder brother Leonard, and his brother-in-law Ed Stepaniuk.

A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  The service will also be held virtually. To attend virtually, please contact the family at djohnsonmemorial@gmail.com. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Doug’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, 8602 112 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Telephone: (780) 492-6537, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/3248/donation or to them Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca or to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219, https://cnib.ca/en?region=ab.

In living memory of Doug Johnson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.