Obituary for Harold Wilbert Johnson
Harold Wilbert Johnson, 94, of Paris, Ontario passed away November 1, 2019
He was born February 16, 1925 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan son of the late Peter Martinius Johnson and Emma Charlesina Johnson nee Cunningham. Harold was the youngest of 5 siblings.
The family was very much a musical one and Harold's father Peter made sure that all of his offspring had musical training and could play at least one instrument well. Harold took violin lessons for 9 years and also became proficient at trumpet, playing in the various marching bands led and trained by his father and eventually forming his own dance band and a vocal trio called “The Major Triad.” Harold was also active in the Westminster United Church Choir where he met his future wife, Gladys MacDonald.
At the age of 11years, Harold tragically lost his mother to cancer. In his late teens, Harold developed into an excellent athlete and was offered try-outs with 2 NHL teams, the Chicago Black Hawks and the Detroit Redwings. However, by this time duty was calling and during WWII, he joined the Canadian army where was an infantry instructor and would ultimately reach the rank of Captain. On September 9, 1947 he married Gladys, thereby affirming the beginning of a love affair which was to span more than 6 decades. Following the war and after a brief stint at McGill University where Harold discovered that he did not want to be an Engineer, he enrolled in the University of Saskatoon and took Commerce, eventually becoming a Chartered Accountant. Gladys worked as a clerk in Eaton's department store enabling Harold to pursue his studies at University.
Upon completing his articles as a C.A., Harold went to work for Imperial Oil in Calgary, kicking off a long and successful career in corporate finance. He then left the private sector to become an advisor in Premier Blakeney’s office. He then returned to the corporate world, becoming Vice-President Finance of Panarctic Oil Ltd and Vice-President Finance of SaskOil. He retired in 1987 at 62 years of age and proceeded to explore Canada with his beloved wife Gladys in their motor-home.
In 2005 Harold and Gladys moved to Paris, Ontario where, together with their son Brent, they built a custom home on the Grand River. Gladys predeceased Harold in August of 2008.
Harold is also predeceased by his mother Emma, his father Peter, brother Ole, and sisters Evolda, Roberta and Vorna.
Harold is survived by son Brent and granddaughter Haley; daughter Carla (Bruce Jackson), granddaughter Dawn (Jesse Brown) and great-granddaughters Veronica and CeCe; and grandson Colin (Andrea Tsang) and great-grandsons Leo and Simon.
Funeral service will be held at Westminster Memorial United Church in Kamsack at 2:00pm on Saturday November 9. In lieu of flowers, mourners are invited to make a donation to the charity of their choice, or to Westminster United Church.
He was born February 16, 1925 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan son of the late Peter Martinius Johnson and Emma Charlesina Johnson nee Cunningham. Harold was the youngest of 5 siblings.
The family was very much a musical one and Harold's father Peter made sure that all of his offspring had musical training and could play at least one instrument well. Harold took violin lessons for 9 years and also became proficient at trumpet, playing in the various marching bands led and trained by his father and eventually forming his own dance band and a vocal trio called “The Major Triad.” Harold was also active in the Westminster United Church Choir where he met his future wife, Gladys MacDonald.
At the age of 11years, Harold tragically lost his mother to cancer. In his late teens, Harold developed into an excellent athlete and was offered try-outs with 2 NHL teams, the Chicago Black Hawks and the Detroit Redwings. However, by this time duty was calling and during WWII, he joined the Canadian army where was an infantry instructor and would ultimately reach the rank of Captain. On September 9, 1947 he married Gladys, thereby affirming the beginning of a love affair which was to span more than 6 decades. Following the war and after a brief stint at McGill University where Harold discovered that he did not want to be an Engineer, he enrolled in the University of Saskatoon and took Commerce, eventually becoming a Chartered Accountant. Gladys worked as a clerk in Eaton's department store enabling Harold to pursue his studies at University.
Upon completing his articles as a C.A., Harold went to work for Imperial Oil in Calgary, kicking off a long and successful career in corporate finance. He then left the private sector to become an advisor in Premier Blakeney’s office. He then returned to the corporate world, becoming Vice-President Finance of Panarctic Oil Ltd and Vice-President Finance of SaskOil. He retired in 1987 at 62 years of age and proceeded to explore Canada with his beloved wife Gladys in their motor-home.
In 2005 Harold and Gladys moved to Paris, Ontario where, together with their son Brent, they built a custom home on the Grand River. Gladys predeceased Harold in August of 2008.
Harold is also predeceased by his mother Emma, his father Peter, brother Ole, and sisters Evolda, Roberta and Vorna.
Harold is survived by son Brent and granddaughter Haley; daughter Carla (Bruce Jackson), granddaughter Dawn (Jesse Brown) and great-granddaughters Veronica and CeCe; and grandson Colin (Andrea Tsang) and great-grandsons Leo and Simon.
Funeral service will be held at Westminster Memorial United Church in Kamsack at 2:00pm on Saturday November 9. In lieu of flowers, mourners are invited to make a donation to the charity of their choice, or to Westminster United Church.