Obituary of Earl Malcolm Wright Johnston

It is with great sadness that the family of Earl Johnston, loving husband to Valerie (Beckingham) Johnston, announce his passing which occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2015 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. He was born on July 11, 1940 in Fredericton to the late Robert and Clara (O’Leary) Johnston. Earl enjoyed playing softball for many years, pitching for several teams including the Saint John Royals. Even after losing his right leg in a logging accident in 1981, he continued to pitch in the River Valley Old Timers League. He and Val enjoyed many years of square dancing with the Saint John Beaus and Belles and the Bayswater Weavers. They bowled together, and along with their daughters, camped at Pine Cone Trailer Park in the 1980’s and again at Wally’s campground from 2003-2013. He loved it most when his family and friends were around. He enjoyed family domino night, despite the fact that he mostly lost and said it was rigged. The last few years you could find him hanging out at the walking club, Tim Horton’s and the Westfield Country Store. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Earl is survived by his wife, Valerie, their children: Heather (Brian) Lyon and Tracy (Andrew) McKay, his grandchildren: Andy O’Neill (Jess Oram), Samantha (Nathan) Blizzard and fur grandbabies Bella and Cami; his brother: Bud Johnston, many nieces, nephews and cousins along with many members of his extended family. Besides his parents, Earl was predeceased by his sisters: Betty, Roberta, Patsy, Carol Ann, and Martha and brother: Arthur. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, (634-7424) with visitation being held on Wednesday, August 5 from 12pm-4pm and again from 6pm-9pm. A memorial service will take place at the Church of the Resurrection on Thursday, August 6 at 11am with interment at Harding’s Point Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Church of the Resurrection or to a charity of donor’s choice.