NEW GLASGOW - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Ernest Russell Johnson, 81, of 314 Reservoir St., New Glasgow.
He was born on Nov. 21, 1928 and went home to God on April 3, 2010 after a short, but courageous battle with illness.
Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late Ruben and Charlotte (Lottie) (Reddick) Johnson.
He served with the Pictou Highlanders from 1948 to 1951 and then enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1951 to 1954. After receiving an honourable discharge from the military he started working at the New Glasgow Foundries, Wheel Foundry and Maritime Steel where he worked for several years. He also worked as a labourer doing odd jobs throughout Pictou County.
Daddy enjoyed his family and loved gathering together with all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to play cards and he faithfully played TV Bingo every week. Daddy enjoyed socializing and spent a lot of time at the lotto and ticket booth at Sobeys at the Aberdeen Mall. He will always be remembered for his sense of humour, his quick wit and laugh and his infamous finger waves.
Ernest is survived by sons: Norman (Betty) Izzard, Guysborough; Ernest Jr. "Storm"; Alexander "Alex" (Laura); WO Christopher "Chris" (Cora-Leigh); MWO Joseph J.J. "Shorty" (Chrissy), all of New Glasgow; daughters: Caroline; Judy Johnson Seales; Gloria; Maxine Johnson Belanger (Pierre), all of Montreal; Sgt. Winnifred, Kingston, ON; Millie, New Glasgow; Brenda, at home; grandchildren that he raised as his own: Russell Izzard, Victoria, BC; Harriett Johnson, Montreal; Errol "Pooh-Bear"; Lovessa "Lovie"; Crystal, Dartmouth; Private Alexis Johnson, Winnipeg; Kelly; Bryan, Montreal. He will be missed by all of his 46 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by an aunt, Edith (Johnson) Borden, Canso; half-sisters: Evelyn (Bert) Graham; Annie Reddick, both of New Glasgow; Margaret (Bob) Blagdon, Montreal; half-brothers: Jim (Linda), Greenwood, Clarence (Doreen), New Brunswick; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Harriett Margaret (Izzard) Johnson; daughter, Sylvia Jean in infancy; sister, Mildred; brother, Frank; grandsons: John and Steve Parizeault; Christopher Stallard; granddaughter, Juanita in infancy; biological father, Isaac "Ike" Desmond; half-sisters: Eileen, Bessie, Shirley and Isabel, half-brothers: Louis, George, Doug, Frances and Alfie.
Visitation Wednesday 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service 11 a.m. Friday in Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, with Father Gary MacPherson officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Lung Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diabetic Association or a charity of choice.
Condolences at: www.rhporter.ca