Obituary of David Lawrence Johnston
David Lawrence Johnston
September 6, 1939 – February 25, 2020
Dave was born in Terrace, BC to parents Ted and Marie Johnston (nee Desjardins) He was one
of sixteen children – a family he was very proud of. Remaining siblings to mourn him are Jack,
Crescentia (Harrison), Jeanne (Metcalfe), Albert, Agnes, Margaret (Piffer) Robert, Roberta
(Ekman) Dave has too many nieces and nephews to list – some knew him better than others,
but all were important to him.
Dave set the standard of his excellence at a young age winning a speech competition in
school which earned him a rail trip to Canadas’ capital and federal parliament building.
Following graduation, he attended UBC to gain his Bachelor of Applied Science in Metallurgical
Engineering with honours and the respect of his professors and classmate. He returned to
continue his study and gain his Masters, being the first off campus student in his discipline. It
required many road trips between UBC and Trail.
Following a short stint at Salt Lake City in a research department Dave returned to Canada to
start his lifetime career with Cominco and its subsidiaries. He married Dolly De Paoli
(Sparwood) and in Trail, BC they started their family. Dave and Dolly have three children and
three grandchildren who share his love of the outdoors and will miss him very much: daughter
Anita (Hank) Carr, sons Brock (Paula) and Bruce (Hailund), granddaughters Melissa (Chris), Lily, and grandson David.
Leaving Trail Dave’s career in the mining industry took him and his family to many different
locations in Canada including Pine Point and Yellowknife, NWT as well as Elkford, Vancouver
and Logan Lake, BC. With his work he travelled to unique and far-flung locations in Canada,
USA but also around the world, from Japan, Kazakhstan, Australia and European countries
including Spain and Turkey. Dave spent much of his career in the far north, which became an
important and special place to him
Early on Dave had fallen in love with the East Kootenay so it was not a surprise when he chose
to retire and build his retirement project house in Cranbrook commonly know as the Wood
Shed. He was very proud to share the house with his wife Audrey and together they made a
home that was welcoming to all passing through and to offer a bottle of wine, a hearty meal
and a comfortable bed. Between them they enjoyed a shared life of travels, fishing the
Skeena and family times
Audrey came with two grown daughters; Christine (Brent Andrews) baby Gaige (deceased),
Kerry Anne (David Douville) Shaylyn, (Wade) baby Charlie and Keenan who all enjoyed
countless good times with Grampaw Dave
…And now, Dave can breathe freely, think clearly, and climb mountains, knowing we all love him to the moon and back
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in his honour to the Caregivers Network
of East Kootenay Seniors…without whom Audrey would never have survived the first 5 years of
this horrific disease OR to The Alzheimer Society of BC
A Celebration of his life will be held in Cranbrook, BC on April 14, 2020 ..watch for location
under McPhersons Funeral home website.
Everyone is Welcome
To send flowers to the family of David Johnston, please visit Tribute Store
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David
Lawrence
Johnston 1939 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Cranbrook, Province: Colombie britanique