Obituary of John James Johnston

December 11, 1923 - Vanguard, Saskatchewan

March 1, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Dr. John James Johnston (JJ), passed away in Calgary on March 1, 2022, at the age of 98 years. He is survived by his sons Damon (Michele Moss) of Calgary, AB; Stephen of Millerville, AB; Adrian (Jo Ann) of Deep Bay, BC; Desmond (Karen Davis) of Calgary, AB and grandchildren Odessa, Shea, John, Milo and Beau all of Calgary, AB. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley Jean (Cardiff), daughter Jennifer Jean, parents Anson Cole Johnston and Florence Ivy Slipp, brother Albert and sisters Isobel and Kathleen.

John was born in Vanguard, SK in 1923 but moved in 1935 with his family to his mother’s family home in Sussex, NB after the death of his father. He completed grade school in Sussex and attended UNB for three years before joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943.

After the war he completed his BSc at UNB in 1947 and then his MD at McGill in 1951.

After a short time working in Edmonton, John moved to Prince Albert in January of 1953, and married Jean in March of the same year. He had a rewarding and successful career as a general practitioner for 35 years at Humphries Clinic in Prince Albert.

With Jean they raised their 5 children, Russian Wolfhounds, participated in community and church activities and developed a summer cabin on the Churchill River.

In retirement JJ pursued a love of the arts, completing his BFA in painting and drawing at the U of S. John and Jean loved to entertain, enjoying family and friends at their home and summer cabin.

In 1996 they moved to Calgary to be closer to family, travelling back to Missinipe for the summer. John lived a long and rewarding life full of family, love, laughter and great wine!

A Celebration of Life event will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 1:00 pm, Rosedale Community Hall, 901 – 11th Ave. NW, Calgary.