HARRY Johnson
passed away quietly on
March 1st in the
Victoria Jubilee Hospital in his 80th year. He is survived by his wife Nan, and his son, Robert. He was predeceased by his wife Betty and his son, Jim. Harry will be sadly missed by many. Born in Vancouver of parents William and Florence Johnson, Harry grew up in
Marpole and attended The
University of British Columbia, getting his Bachelor of Arts in 1950 and Teacher Training in 1951. He married his wife Betty in 1951 and they moved to Prince Rupert so Harry could teach school there. In Prince Rupert he joined the Tsimpsean Lodge #58 A.F. & A.M and became Instructor Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy and training officer of the HMCS Chatham. Harry and Betty moved to Nanaimo in 1954 and their first son Jim, was born in 1955. Harry taught at Thomas Hodson School and then
Woodlands Junior Secondary. In 1958, the same year that he completed his Bachelor of
Education, their second son Bob was born. Harry was also active in the Nanaimo and
District Teachers Association at that time. Teaching at Cedar Junior Secondary in 1970, he became head of the math and science departments and then Vice Principal. In 1975 Harry received his Masters in Education from the University of Victoria. Harry resigned his administration position and returned to teaching in 1982 retiring in 1986. Betty died in the winter of 1995. Harry was active for 15 years in the Nanaimo and District Power Squadron, as well as spending time with various carving clubs, the Central
Vancouver Island Orchid
Society, teaching with Literacy Nanaimo and driving for Meals on Wheels. Harry married Nan in November 2005. Harry has numerous awards for his orchid growing and carvings.
A gathering of family of friends will be held at the Nanaimo Golf and Country Club on Sunday March 9th between 2 - 4 PM.