Quick Search

Robert Gordon "Bob" Johnson

Robert Gordon "Bob" Johnson

Second World War Veteran
Robert Gordon Johnson peacefully departed this world on Thursday, October 30, 2014, with his wife, Shirley, and sons, Peter and Harlan, by his side. He was in his 97th year.
Born November 4, 1917, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bob was the son of Albert Ernest Johnson, formerly of Bedeque, P.E.I. and Lillian (McLellan) Johnson.
Bob was predeceased by his brother, Orville, and sister, Bess, of Winnipeg.
Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife, Shirley (Lavers), and children, David (MaryAnn), Robert Jr. (Linda), Peter (Lyne), Harlan and daughter, Elaine (Brad) Murray. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eliot, George (Emily), Veronica (Dan) and Nathaniel, Robert III, Heather (Marcel) Thibeau, Cameron and Katie Murray as well as by great-grandchildren, Josephine Johnson, Hunter and Macey Thibeau.
As a young man in Winnipeg, Bob traversed the lean years of the Great Depression. He graduated from Winnipeg's Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate. In the days following the declaration of war in 1939, Bob enlisted in the Fort Garry Horse Regiment. In 1941 he re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F., training in London, Ontario, and Ottawa, before receiving his wings in 1942. He received further training as a fighter-reconnaissance pilot at Rockliffe, ON and Debert, N.S. where he met his wife-to-be. Bob next went on to serve with the 123rd Squadron in 1943. He soon was called to serve with the 28th R.A.F. Squadron in England and was subsequently posted to Northern Assam/India. On January 14, 1945, while on a reconnaissance mission, his plane was shot down behind Japanese lines. After parachuting, he walked 23 days by night through the Burmese jungle before re-joining his squadron, a distance of over 200 miles. Bob was subsequently awarded the Military Cross and was cited for carrying out a model escape from enemy territory.
Bob and Shirley initially established their family in Winnipeg, later moving to the Detroit area, then the Atlanta area, before settling in the Maritimes in 1955. It was in Halifax that Bob discovered his enthusiasm for Insurance Claims Adjusting, working throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. In 1977, Bob's final career posting brought him to Charlottetown, P.E.I. a city and province with family connections which both Bob and Shirley eagerly embraced.
Bob's interests ranged from amateur radio operation to serving in diverse community organizations. He was made a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 1 and the men's Probus Club of Charlottetown. He was a member of the West Royalty Seniors Association, the R.C.A.F.A. No.2 Confederation Wing and the Gyro Club.
During this same period, Bob built a summer home at Chelton, near Bedeque, a place where family loved to gather and where Bob and Shirley made many enduring friendships.
Resting at the Belvedere Funeral Home from where the memorial service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday at 1 p.m. Visitation Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation or the Spring Park United Church Organ Fund.
Royal Canadian Legion Charlottetown Branch #1 will hold a Service of Remembrance at the funeral home on Sunday at 4 p.m.
www.belvederefh.com


Condolences

 

Funeral home(s)

ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHED IN

Tribute

Local Services

Leave a condolence

comments powered by Disqus

Quick Search

Place an Obituary

MEMORIAL WEBSITE

Create a Memorial Website