We are sad to announce the death of our Dad, Bob Johnstone. The only child of Robert and Allie (nee Cameron) born at Vancouver General Hospital and predeceased by his wife Louise (nee Collister) in 2007 and his daughter-in-law Ann in 1995. He will be sorely missed by his son Doug, daughter-in-law Carmen, daughter Cathy, son Rob (Lori) and grandchildren Sarah, Laura, Rob, Alex, Nicole, Matthew and three great-great grandchildren.
Bob was a proud graduate of Vancouver College, the last surviving member of the class of 1944, and later obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC. In 1956 he qualified as a Chartered Accountant spending 29 years of his professional career working for the Canada Revenue Agency retiring in 1990 as a Group Head.
Bob believed in giving back to the community and was an active volunteer in many organizations. He served as a Director of the Catholic Family Services for 12 years and 17 years as Chairman of the Columbus Long Term Care Society’s Finance Committee. Additionally, he served for several decades in a financial capacity on the Board of Directors of Vancouver College culminating in his receiving the Pro Operis Award in 1990 and as an officer on the Knights of Columbus Council 1081. Later in life he served on the Finance Committee at Saints Peter and Paul parish and was involved in committee work at Brock House and Amica Arbutus Manor’s Residence Council.
One of the challenges of living to 97 is the pain of outliving friends and associates. Bob was very fortunate to make new friends in his endeavours- people who were attracted to his somewhat off-centre sense of humour and expansive knowledge of past and current events. He lived at a time when horse drawn delivery vehicles were common on Vancouver’s streets and he delivered newspapers to people living on Coal Harbour in Stanley Park. His mental facilities were sharp until his death and his Scots DNA enabled him to survive hip surgery and double pneumonia in his later 80’s.
Bob was a devoted convert to the Catholic faith. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saints Peter and Paul 1430 W 38th Avenue, Vancouver, BC on May 4, 2023, at 11:00 am, the church where he and Mom were married in September 1952. Interment to follow at Gardens of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery 15694 32 Ave, Surrey, BC. COVID is still active, please consider wearing masks to protect the health of all attendees.
In lieu of flowers or cards please consider a donation to the St. Paul’s Foundation or The Arthritis Society in Bob’s memory.
We wish to acknowledge the superb care and attention Dad received in the final year and half of his life from medical and support staff at St John Hospice and German Canadian Care Home.