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Murray Johnson Obituary
Cherished father to Brian (Shelley) Johnson of Burlington, Bruce Johnson of Saskatoon and David (Rachel) Johnson of Sturgeon Falls. Very proud Grandfather to Caitlin, Emma, Kelli-Anne, Trevor, Anna, Victoria, Alex, Raiden and Malcolm. He will be missed by his sister-in-law, Orma Jane and her family, Guy (Jane) and Kim (Jim) and their children.
Murray will be remembered for his wry sense of humour and his dedication to family and his work. He loved the outdoors and was an advocate for the preservation of our natural environment. This led him to a distinguished career in conservation and environmental research as a scientist and administrator for many levels of government, including Director General Ontario Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He was appointed to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1978 serving through 1982 and chaired the Canadian Section for 3 years. He received the commission's highest honour, the Meritorious Service award in 1993. Prior to retiring to Ravenna to become an apple grower, he transferred to Owen Sound.
Murray and Margot were the proud proprietors of Maple Glen Orchard in Ravenna. Apple growing was a passion for them and provided the family with many fond memories. They pursued many hobbies such as birding, hiking, cross country skiing and curling.
Murray regarded with affection his friends and neighbours in the Blue Mountains. Thank you to the kind and caring staff of Chartwell Lakeshore in Burlington.
As per Murray's wishes and that of his family, a private cremation has taken place.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Canadian Red Cross or the Canadian Cancer Society or an environmental cause that is close to your heart, would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
Arrangements entrusted to SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Murray Johnson
7 Entries
Peter Hodson
January 17, 2023
I met Murray when he was a Prof at the U. of Guelph and I was a doctoral student with John Sprague. I took his Limnology course which introduced me to field work through a project with Peter Wells to study the effects of nutrient inputs on the River Avon - an experience that inspired subsequent field work which was the most enjoyable part of research. Murray transferred to the Great Lakes Biolimnology Lab (GLBL) as part of Fisheries and Environment Canada before I completed my doctorate in 1974. He subsequently recruited me to start a program of research with Paul Wong, David Wright, and then Uwe Borgmann on the toxicity of chemicals discharged to the Great Lakes. One of my assignments was to join the Great Lakes Water Quality Objectives Sub-Committee which did not enthuse me at first. However, Murray predicted that it would be very positive, and he was absolutely correct. Despite hours in planes and meetings over eight years, I learned a great deal about the complexity of water quality management, the role of science in supporting it and how my research could be fashioned to contribute to management. Murray had many very positive characteristics, including an inspiring environmental idealism and a very clear eye about the role and effectiveness of government. Among my favourite memories are discussions in which Murray would interject with a great sniff, hitch up the back of his trousers, and finish off with a pithy comment on the state of government and the civil service - a pleasure to listen to! It is interesting to see how many others have commented on Murray´s significant role in their careers. He will be missed!
Ora Johannsson
January 3, 2023
Murray was the shadow I followed in. His leaving the Canada Center for Inland Waters opened up the opportunity for another benthic ecologist to work on Project Quinte. I was delighted to follow in his footsteps. He had set a strong scientific foundation. I followed his path into Fisheries and Oceans and benefitted from his knowledge and legacy. Thank you, Murray.
Scott Millard
December 31, 2022
Murray was instrumental in helping me establish a career path with Fisheries & Oceans Canada. He first hired me as a summer student on Project Quinte in 1972, was my professor for graduate work, hired me in GLBL in 1975 where I worked until 2011, eventually occupying the same desk he sat behind when I started. He was a professor, mentor, supervisor, friend and colleague to me over the years. I will forever be grateful for how he helped me. Forever grateful. He will be missed. Condolences to his sons, Brian, Bruce and David.
Scott Millard.
Charles K. Minns
December 29, 2022
Very sad news indeed. Murray worked very hard for the natural environment and was instrumental in opening career opportunities for many (myself included).
Dennis Gregor
December 28, 2022
I first met Murray in 1977 coming to work on the IJC Great Lakes reference for pollution from land use activities. Murray was the Canadian Co-chairman for the reference and as a result we worked closely together. I learned that most of the people we worked with were "turkeys" according to Murray. After he moved to Ravenna I tried to visit him on the apple farm whenever I was visiting that area. It was usually winter and I became the turkey when he had to get his tractor out to pull me out of the snow after I got stuck in his driveway. He was a big early influence for me right out grad school and I always enjoyed working with him.
Mike Whittle
December 28, 2022
I first met Murray when I was a summer student at OWRC (now MOE+). I then was a student for him at Glenora Fisheries Station while he was a PhD student under Henry Reiger. Then he was a prof at Univ. of Guelph when I was an undergraduate. Yes he certainly was a major influencer for my subsequent career. He even interviewed me for a position at GLBL.
I thought a lot of him even when he was a hard taskmaster. God's Speed. Job well done Murray.
John Cooley
December 28, 2022
I met Murray when we both took Frank Rigler's Limnology course at U of Toronto in 1968. Then we met again when I graduated from Dalhousie Univ. After an interview he hired me when he became the director of GLBL in 1973. We became good friends. We didn't see much of each other after he retired but kept in touch. He was a terrific person and extremely knowledgeable. He published a book on the great lakes and made it free to be downloaded from the internet. He will be missed.
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