Kenneth Milton “Kenny” Johnston

JOHNSTON-It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Kenneth Milton Johnston “Kenny” at Charlotte County Regional Hospital on December 8, 2007. Kenny leaves behind his wife, Jean (Weeks) of fifty-seven years, his childhood sweetheart whom he met while toboggan sliding in Old Ridge. His loving memory will live on in his seven children; daughters Brenda Sansom (David) in Fredericton, Terry Dickerson (Bobby) St.Stephen and Marlene Moore (Dean) in Penniac, son Marshall ( Syreena) in New Germany, Nova Scotia and triplet sons who all reside in Moore’s Mills, Robert (Pam), Randal (Melinda) and Rodney (Tanya). He is also survived by grandchildren Teena, Tricia, Jami, Samantha, Timmy, Trevor, Kristan, Wesley, and twins, Brandan and Brandi and great grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, Ethan, Madison, Logan, Jenna, Reese and Rylan. Daddy loved white cats and leaves Momma to care for his snow white “Sparky”. Daddy was born in Dewolfe Corner, December 10, 1930 and lost a twenty dollar bet when his first child Brenda was born two days before his twentieth birthday. Daddy was the third of seventeen children of the late George and Vivian (Foote) Johnston. He was predeceased by his most special friend, Bob McBride and his brothers Marvin (Gooley), Earl and Sam. He is survived by siblings Albert, Florence Crosby, Clarence, Gerald, Sharon Needle, Raymond, Hazen and Roger. Daddy was raised by his grandparents, the late Willard and Mildred (Moore) Johnston in the small community of Moore’s Mills where he attended school and began his life as a fun loving, joke playing imp. Daddy spent his entire life in Charlotte County living as well in Milltown and The Ledge and a brief time in Fredericton. Daddy worked his entire life. After a life dedicated to the principals of honest, hard work and a spinal chord injury in 1994 he finally retired in 1997. He peeled pulp and worked for Gerald Gilman at Gilman’s Garage in Moore’s Mills when he left school but later became a very capable licensed mechanic and a licensed electrician. He was also a plumber and finished carpenter. He outfitted a complete carpentry workshop in his basement to accommodate him working from a wheelchair. He worked for Bert Linton selling Volkswagens and later had his own business, Causeway Motors at Oak Bay where he continued to sell Volkswagens and Used Cars. Causeway Motors later moved to Milltown when he bought the facility operated by one of his childhood mentors, Norman Holmes. Daddy never got rich at anything because his kind and generous heart ruled his fee schedule, if he managed to even charge you for the work he did. When his garage was not open, customers, friends and strangers simply came to the house anytime of the day and night to get their cars fixed. Once cell phones came into popular use he is known to have listened to the car engines over the phone so as to diagnose the problem. Daddy could fix anything - anything that is except cancer. He will be lovingly remembered as the eternal optimist who always had a smile, a laugh and a solution … if you had a problem. He is renown for his ability to solve mechanical problems when others could not. He will be treasured by the respect he instilled in others when never gave up when he was told he would not walk again. He built a pulley in his garage at The Ledge so that he could exercise his legs and back. Daddy’s legacy is four sons, all of whom have his mechanical talents and three daughters who can jump start a car. Daddy taught by example the importance of doing a job to the best of your ability, working hard and being honest and fair. His determination to walk and live independently has been an inspiration to everyone around him. Quite simply, our dad was amazing.As cancer slowing took its final toll, our dad, the perfect patient continued to bless us with moments of precious memories reflective of the good, kind and generous man he had always been. There are no words to express our immense gratitude for the professional love, care and compassion from Kindred Home Care, Hospice of Charlotte and the Charlotte County Hospital Palliative Care Staff. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Charlotte or charity of donor’s choice. The family will receive friends at The S. O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home Ltd., 23 Main Street, St. Stephen, NB on Monday, December 10, 2007 from 2 to 4 pm, followed by a Memorial Service at 4 pm. Interment will be at the Moores Mills Cemetery at a later date. Condolences can be made to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca