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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
JOHNSTON, David Thomas Joseph (Dave) - It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dave Johnston on his promotion to glory after a courageous journey with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) on June 27th at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building at 82. Dave was born in Sturgeon Falls, ON, spending his younger years in Levack, ON. He left Levack to join the Royal Canadian Navy, arriving in Nova Scotia to train at C.F.B. Cornwallis. During his service in the Navy, Dave was a Corporal where he fulfilled his duties as a Radar Technician. He sailed on several ships including the H.M.C.S. Crescent, H.M.C.S. Bonaventure and the H.M.C.S. Kootenay where he survived an explosion on board during sea trials. Dave served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1958 to 1973. After leaving the Navy, Dave worked for Sperry Marine Systems as the Manager for Atlantic Canada, owned an Electrolux Store as a Distributor in Halifax, was a partner in Cobblestones, Fine Art, Antiques and Collectables located at Halifax Historic Properties and was employed with Maritime Data Centre as a Payroll Clerk for the Longshoremen's Association before he retired. Dave met his wife Joan, at the Olympic Hall on Cunard Street where they danced their way into matrimony in 1960. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in February, a testament to their love for each other. Dave and Joan lived most of their lives in Black Point where they raised their three children. Dave's passion throughout his life was oil painting with many of his works capturing the energy of the ocean or the serenity of landscapes. He was most proud of his painting of a fisherman that won him the Mayor's Award from the Contemporary Art Society of Nova Scotia in 1999. He also loved his aquariums, dabbling in saltwater fish which was an exercise in futility at times. Dave was a member of the Full Gospel Church and Gideons International (ShareWord Global) where he and Joan were the conveners of the Gideon National Convention in Halifax in 2005. Dave always loved family gatherings and we were so pleased to have one last home visit the day before Father's Day where he enjoyed a family BBQ. Dave is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Joan (Hubley) Johnston; children, Randy (Shelley) Johnston, Wade (Brenda) Johnston and Sheri (Ron) Pinnell; grandchildren, Julia (Tony), Jason (Lauren), Bradley (Sophie), Monica (Brendon), Connor and Chelsea; and great-grandchildren, Alexa, Cassidy and Aubrey; brother, Mark (Sonia) Johnston; and sister, Anne-Marie (Rob) Peacock; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, David S. Johnston and mother, Valma (Prevost) Johnston Youngs; and stepfather, Ed Youngs; and brothers, Daniel and Jamie Johnston. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the team at Camp Hill V6 Jubilee West where Dave resided since January. Their care and support through his final days with PSP was so comforting to the family. Visitation will be held on July 3rd from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and celebration of life on July 4th at 11 a.m., both at the Full Gospel Church 2256 Larry Uteck Blvd. Bedford, with Pastor Russell Knowles officiating. Internment at Fairview Cemetery for immediate family following the reception. Live stream of the service can be found at youtube.com/@fgchalifax/streams. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to ShareWord Global (Gideons), Full Gospel Church, Chisholm Foundation for Children, or a charity of your choice. "The time of my departure has come, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (The Saltwire Network 02 Jul 2024)
Ships served in: HMCS KOOTENAY - Dave was serving in KOOTENAY as a Leading Seaman Radar Plotter at the time of the explosion.
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