Johnson, Gordon L
Born Mar18, 1929 passed away peacefully on Mar 19, 2015 Survived by his beloved wife Anita, children: Jo-Anne, Paul (Cecilia), Dave (Allison), Lynn Shishido (Craig) and Joel as well as much loved grandchildren; Web, Lucie, Serina, Antonin and Sarah; and his sister Ruth (pre-deceased by brother Bruce). Funeral mass to be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Langley, BC; Thursday March 26th at 2pm,. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gordon's name to the Salvation Army or St. Nicholas' Building Fund.


Born in Dauphin, Manitoba, son to Harry and Edith; big brother to Bruce and Ruth; Gordon Lionel Johnson was, above all else, a loving, gentle family man. Famous (or infamous) for nicknaming almost everyone he knew, Gordon extended his family far beyond his own 5 children Friends were always welcome into the fold.

Gordon's early life was a nomadic one, moving frequently with his Salvation Army Officer parents, eventually settling in Winnipeg, MB. At the tender age of 9 he became the “man of the family” when Major Johnson was sent overseas during World War II.

Always interested by engines and vehicles, Gordie motorized his bicycle around age 10, then graduated to loading cars on to trains as a teenager. A natural mechanic, he worked on any kind of vehicle with 4 wheels and for that matter, 18 wheels. Skills that came in handy later in life as he helped his kids maintain all the old clunkers that they drove in their teens. Eventually progressing on to heavy-duty mechanic for Mack Trucks.

An adventurous trip to BC in the early '50s with his best friend Don, planted the seed of a dream to move to the West Coast some day. By 1956, he was working in a garage with Leo Jubinville who asked Gordon to be a part of his wedding to Ella. There he met the love of his life, Anita – one of the groom's younger sisters (there were 6 of them) and the rest, as they say, is history. Anita & Gordon wed in July 1958 and promptly started their family the following year with the birth of Jo-Anne, followed annually by Paul, David, Lynn and Joel.

The family moved into their own home on Valley View Drive in 1964. Ever the handyman, Gordon cared for his home & family with many a creative building project. A Mack Truck axle floating a lazy-susan in a large round table custom built with bench-style seating in the kitchen nook was famous in the neighbourhood and all the kids' friends.

In 1972, the seed planted in the early 50's sprouted and Gordon & Anita moved their young family to Port Moody, BC and Gordon's career evolved into Service Manager for Hayes. Five years later the family moved to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, leaving the eldest behind to start her career. Gordon happily returned to the Mack Family there.

As the children grew and finished school, Gordon and Anita went on many a road trip. The man loved to drive and explored many destinations across Canada and the United States. A particular favourite was Disney World in Florida. In the early '90s, some of the grown children and extended family members joined in on a road trip to Disneyland in California. Gordon loved all things Disney even creating gorgeous wood Christmas decorations of Goofy, Bambi, Dopey & Mickey that have been a part of family celebrations for close to 50 years.

After their children had all “fled the nest” Gordon and his 'Nita, returned to the mainland, settling in Fort Langley in 1991. A new generation started to arrive in 1996 with the first grandson, Web, followed by Lucie in 1997. After a seemingly interminable break (to the grandparents anyway), Serina arrived in 2006, Sarah in 2007 and Antonin in 2008. Gordon reveled in being a Grandpa and since retiring from Motorways in 1999, was able to enjoy it all the more. Even up to his final year, Gordie could often be found rolling on the floor with one or another of the grandkids.

Gordon wanted to stay with his “Nita for another 58 years, in spite of failing health, and fought the good fight until his final breath. He is remembered with much love, humour and kindness by all his “children” and many friends.