Obituary for James Norman "Jim" Johnson
JOHNSON: James Norman “Jim”, beloved husband of Wendy, loving father to Jennifer (Don) Sawatzky, Sara (Al) Blais and Becky (Ian Neufeld), passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Jim will also be lovingly remembered by his eight grandchildren Audrey, Dwight, Piper, Emily, Sophie, Chloe, Zachary and Gabby and great grandson Cedric. Also left to cherish his memory is his sister Brenda (Ken) Kayer, brother-in-law Dale (Mary Beth) Shields as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jim was born in Winnipeg to Violet and Basil Johnson. He attended Charleswood Collegiate and was an avid curler, representing Manitoba in the Junior Men’s National Championship in St. John’s, Nfld in 1966. They ended as runner up after losing in an extra end. He spent 2 years serving with the Royal Canadian Navy in his late teens. He was based out of Halifax and his tours took him overseas to many ports in the United Kingdom and Europe, including England, which was special for him, as that is where his father’s family was from. He then returned to continue his post-secondary education and graduated from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences with a Diploma of Technology in Renewable Resources in 1973.
Returning to Winnipeg, there were no immediate jobs available with Natural Resources, so he took a temporary position at the Grey Hound Bus Depot. One of his co-workers and his spouse happened to share an apartment with a lovely young lady that he was insistent Jim had to meet. Jim ended up marrying that lady. He and Wendy (nee Shields) were married on May 16, 1975. Jim took his first job as a Natural Resource Officer in October 1975 and that began a career with Manitoba Parks that took Jim, Wendy and their family on a variety of adventures across the province. They were privileged to make friends and memories everywhere they lived including Blumenort, Hadashville, Norway House, Riverton, Dauphin and finally Brandon. Jim retired as Parks Planner on April 2, 2011 after 36 years of service. His retirement didn’t last long as after only a few months off, he went back on a part time contract basis helping with flood repairs before retiring for the second time on April 12, 2014.
Jim was a social butterfly, often active in his local communities, making lasting friendships everywhere he went. He loved the outdoors including fishing, hunting, trapping, skiing and family camping trips. Jim had a soft spot for animals and had much love for their family pets. Of special note was his love for labs. One of Jim’s favorite places was the lake. His love of the beach began as a child. His family had a cabin at Grand Beach and later Grand Marais. He and Wendy continued enjoying summers at Grand Marais, raising their girls there until their growing family no longer had room to all gather at their small cabin. In 2007, they sold the cabin and purchased another in Albert Beach, with more space indoors and out where they could continue welcoming their friends and family. The cabin was their happy place where they combined their love of sunshine and beach with their passion for fishing.
After retiring, the cabin became their primary home through the season. Jim could often be seen walking their red canoe down to the water with Wendy to catch their daily limit of pickerel, or walking the beach on a hot day stopping to visit along the way as he always knew everyone. Each morning you would find him at Saffies Store having coffee with his little friends. In late afternoon he’d be enjoying cocktail hour on his deck, sometimes just he and Wendy, but often friends or family would join them. Standing behind his BBQ cooking up a feast, or playing cards in the evening with loved ones were activities that brought him great joy.
In 2002, Jim and Wendy went on their first cruise which sparked a new love of travel and they continued to take regular winter holidays visiting countless Caribbean islands and other sunny beach destinations making life long treasured friends along the way. Much of his time over the long cold winters was spent planning and dreaming of their next travel adventure.
Jim led a successful and full life, but it was his family he cherished most. His wife, his girls, his boys (sons-in-law) and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.
Jim was known for always having a smart or witty comment. Even in his declining health, everyone who came to visit him would comment on how he hadn’t lost his sense of humour. He was making people laugh until his final days.
The Celebration of Jim’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 1:30pm.
Jim was born in Winnipeg to Violet and Basil Johnson. He attended Charleswood Collegiate and was an avid curler, representing Manitoba in the Junior Men’s National Championship in St. John’s, Nfld in 1966. They ended as runner up after losing in an extra end. He spent 2 years serving with the Royal Canadian Navy in his late teens. He was based out of Halifax and his tours took him overseas to many ports in the United Kingdom and Europe, including England, which was special for him, as that is where his father’s family was from. He then returned to continue his post-secondary education and graduated from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences with a Diploma of Technology in Renewable Resources in 1973.
Returning to Winnipeg, there were no immediate jobs available with Natural Resources, so he took a temporary position at the Grey Hound Bus Depot. One of his co-workers and his spouse happened to share an apartment with a lovely young lady that he was insistent Jim had to meet. Jim ended up marrying that lady. He and Wendy (nee Shields) were married on May 16, 1975. Jim took his first job as a Natural Resource Officer in October 1975 and that began a career with Manitoba Parks that took Jim, Wendy and their family on a variety of adventures across the province. They were privileged to make friends and memories everywhere they lived including Blumenort, Hadashville, Norway House, Riverton, Dauphin and finally Brandon. Jim retired as Parks Planner on April 2, 2011 after 36 years of service. His retirement didn’t last long as after only a few months off, he went back on a part time contract basis helping with flood repairs before retiring for the second time on April 12, 2014.
Jim was a social butterfly, often active in his local communities, making lasting friendships everywhere he went. He loved the outdoors including fishing, hunting, trapping, skiing and family camping trips. Jim had a soft spot for animals and had much love for their family pets. Of special note was his love for labs. One of Jim’s favorite places was the lake. His love of the beach began as a child. His family had a cabin at Grand Beach and later Grand Marais. He and Wendy continued enjoying summers at Grand Marais, raising their girls there until their growing family no longer had room to all gather at their small cabin. In 2007, they sold the cabin and purchased another in Albert Beach, with more space indoors and out where they could continue welcoming their friends and family. The cabin was their happy place where they combined their love of sunshine and beach with their passion for fishing.
After retiring, the cabin became their primary home through the season. Jim could often be seen walking their red canoe down to the water with Wendy to catch their daily limit of pickerel, or walking the beach on a hot day stopping to visit along the way as he always knew everyone. Each morning you would find him at Saffies Store having coffee with his little friends. In late afternoon he’d be enjoying cocktail hour on his deck, sometimes just he and Wendy, but often friends or family would join them. Standing behind his BBQ cooking up a feast, or playing cards in the evening with loved ones were activities that brought him great joy.
In 2002, Jim and Wendy went on their first cruise which sparked a new love of travel and they continued to take regular winter holidays visiting countless Caribbean islands and other sunny beach destinations making life long treasured friends along the way. Much of his time over the long cold winters was spent planning and dreaming of their next travel adventure.
Jim led a successful and full life, but it was his family he cherished most. His wife, his girls, his boys (sons-in-law) and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.
Jim was known for always having a smart or witty comment. Even in his declining health, everyone who came to visit him would comment on how he hadn’t lost his sense of humour. He was making people laugh until his final days.
The Celebration of Jim’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 1:30pm.