JOHNSTONE
Mr Richard Watson Johnstone passed away Sat. Sept. 19th 2009 at Abbotsford Regional Hospital following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 11th 1939 in Port Arthur, Ontario. Richard spent most of his life as a Millright with the former Great Lakes Paper Mill (Bowwater). He was also president of the Communications, Energy, and Paper Workers Union Local 39. In his children's younger years he was heavily involved in Port Arthur little league and Carrick minor hockey. Richard was also an avid camper, and along with his family and friends, traveled to Provincial parks throughout Ontario and Manitoba. Following his retirement, Richard moved west to BC and settled in Abbotsford, where he lived until his death. Richard was an amateur photographer and spent many happy hours moving around the countryside capturing the beautiful scenery of BC with his camera. Richard made friends where ever he went from the ladies in the bake shop, to hospital staff. Everyone will miss his whistle. Richard is survived by his sons Brad(Carolyn) and Ian(April); grand children Mitchell & Nicole, and Alex & Kylee; sisters Grace Giesbrecht (Dan), Jean Lightfoot (John) of Abbotsford; brother Don (Martha) of Thunder Bay Ontario; many nieces and nephews. As per his final wishes, cremation will take place followed by a family gathering in Abbotsford. A very special thank you from the family to Dr.Lewis and the ICU nurses who took such excellent, compassionate care of Richard during his illness.