Robert Donaghy JOHNSTON

1929 - 2022

ROBERT (BOB) DONAGHY JOHNSTON, BA, MCom, LLD (honoris causa) August 16, 1929 - November 17, 2022 Bob Johnston passed away peacefully in Toronto at the age of 93. Bob had a successful career at Queen's Park - as a Deputy Minister and as Chairman of both the Water Resources Commission and the Labour Relations Board. At the age of 50, he was lucky enough to combine his love of theatre with his political skills to take on the role of General Manager at the National Ballet of Canada from 1979-1996, and, after a short retirement, as the Executive Director of the Culture Careers Council Ontario (now "WorkInCulture.") He retired for a second time, at age 80, but remained active serving on the boards of Dance Collection Danse and the Canadian Senior Artists Resource Network (CSARN.) Both WorkInCulture and CSARN have named awards in Bob's honour: "The WorkInCulture Bob Johnston Award is a biennial award that recognizes an individual who is committed to furthering the growth of Ontario's cultural sector, either as a creator, manager, mentor, supporter or educator. The award is named after Robert (Bob) Johnston, whose persistent, patient and selfless efforts over a lifetime of service stands as a model of professionalism for cultural workers of all disciplines and abilities." "The CSARN Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award is given annually to an artist whose exemplary work, produced away from the spotlight of the moment and without fanfare, has been a notable source of inspiration to others in the art and/or whose visionary contributions to the arts and broader communities have been made in under-acknowledged or 'behind the scenes' roles." Bob often said he was lucky to never have had a job he didn't enjoy. This may have been part of the gift he had for living a happy, engaged life. He also nurtured friendships, keeping up with and meeting regularly with friends he'd known since he was nine and others he met in his nineties. He loved to laugh while sharing an often-self-effacing story about growing up in Hamilton or traveling the world with the National Ballet. He loved people and always did his best to return the love and respect he received from them. But this was all a backdrop to his romance with his wife, Mary Ellen (née Burt), a truly remarkable marriage that lasted more than 50 years. As a family, Bob, Mary Ellen, and their sons Robert Thomas and David Charles shared a rare sort of respect and unconditional love. Bob often said his goodbyes by quoting the comic duo Bob and Ray's radio signoff: "Hang by your thumbs," and "Write if you get work." So, we'll do that here. Bob will be missed by his son, David; his grandchildren, Hannah and Charlie; and his former daughter-in-law, Alison Maclean. The last several years were also made infinitely more enjoyable thanks to the company of his friends Ainslie Willock and Elizabeth Burridge. Bob's son, David, plans to celebrate Bob Johnston's well-lived life at Avondale Cemetery in Stratford, Ontario on June 18, 2023 - Father's Day - as his ashes join those of his wife, Mary Ellen - on what would have been her 90th birthday - and his son, Rob, both of whom predeceased him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dance Collection Danse at www.dcd.ca.