MICHAEL JOHNSTON

MICHAEL JOHNSTON Suddenly on April 14th. Devoted husband for 39 years of Irene and beloved father of Erin and Christopher. Michael leaves behind a legacy of friendships spanning his thirty year career in Sales and Marketing at General Motors of Canada, a successful Sports and Event Marketing consultancy and most recently as a Deputy Mayor of Cramahe Township. Michael approached everything in life head on with a style that was equal parts of passion, verve and creativity. This won him the respect of his peers and colleagues at General Motors where he enjoyed many roles and responsibilities over the years in Sales and Marketing including Director of Import Operations and Director of Marketing. After 'retiring' from GM in 1992, Michael embarked on an Event Marketing consultancy that allowed him to continue his love of the 'big idea' and the 'big show' by working with such diverse groups as The Royal Winter Fair, Major League Baseball and Harrowsmith magazine. Just when you thought he would settle in for a well-deserved rest, he turned his energies to his home community of Cramahe Township by first being elected Councilman in 2000 and then Deputy Mayor in 2003. Community growth for Cramahe was not only preferable but also essential, he believed. In 2001, Michael received an appointment to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, a position which opened new directions for him. However, every great ride must come to an end and Michael passed on in a way that can only be deemed 'fitting' to his irrepressible personality. In addition to his wife and children, Michael leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Nancy, his equally irrepressible grandchildren Samantha and Murray, his brother Patrick and sister in-law Susan, his sister Molly and brother-in-law Jack, a herd of the best-loved Red Angus cattle and a somewhat less well-loved 1953 Willys Jeep (we were getting around to that one). A quiet family service will take place on Saturday, April 17th. A chance for friends and wellwishers to help celebrate his remarkable impact on us all will take place on Sunday, May 2nd at the Keeler Centre from 2-4pm in Colborne, Ontario. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Nature Conservancy of Canada (5420 Hwy #6 North, RR #5, Guelph, Ontario N1H 6J2) in Michael's honour would be greatly appreciated. It can never truly be good-bye when you will always be in our hearts.