Bruce Johnstone: Difference between revisions
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'''Bruce Johnstone''' (1931 – 2 December 2002) was a lifelong resident of [ | '''Bruce Johnstone''' (1931 – 2 December 2002) was a lifelong resident of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay Thunder Bay] who served with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay_Police_Service Thunder Bay Police Department] for over 30 years, rising to the rank of Detective Staff Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Branch. He received the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Exemplary_Service_Medal Médaille de la police pour services distingués] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_General_of_Canada Governor General of Canada] on 14 March 1984. | ||
He was the son of [[Archibald Johnstone]], a federal grain inspector in [ | He was the son of [[Archibald Johnstone]], a federal grain inspector in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Ontario Port Arthur], and his wife [[Grace Johnstone|Grace Brown Johnstone]]. | ||
He was married to [[Joan Johnstone|Joan Bryer]] (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004), the granddaughter of [[Edward Langley Snook]] (1881 Salisbury – 1952 Port Arthur), and the great-granddaughter of [[John Gray Snook]]. Bruce and Joan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2001. | He was married to [[Joan Johnstone|Joan Bryer]] (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004), the granddaughter of [[Edward Langley Snook]] (1881 Salisbury – 1952 Port Arthur), and the great-granddaughter of [[John Gray Snook]]. Bruce and Joan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2001. | ||
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Bruce began his employment with the Thunder Bay Police Department on 23 June 1952. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he served in several capacities including as an assistant chief and head of detectives. He retired as Detective Staff Sergeant, Criminal Investigation Branch, on 30 June 1986. [https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/chroniclejournal/name/bruce-johnstone-obituary?id=43289002 [1]] | Bruce began his employment with the Thunder Bay Police Department on 23 June 1952. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he served in several capacities including as an assistant chief and head of detectives. He retired as Detective Staff Sergeant, Criminal Investigation Branch, on 30 June 1986. [https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/chroniclejournal/name/bruce-johnstone-obituary?id=43289002 [1]] | ||
On 14 March 1984, he was awarded the ''Médaille de la police pour services distingués'' (Police Exemplary Service Medal) by the [ | On 14 March 1984, he was awarded the ''Médaille de la police pour services distingués'' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Exemplary_Service_Medal Police Exemplary Service Medal]) by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_General_of_Canada Governor General of Canada]. [https://gg.ca/fr/distinctions/recipiendaires/127-36484 [2]] | ||
In retirement, he enjoyed regular breakfast outings with his fellow former co-workers. | In retirement, he enjoyed regular breakfast outings with his fellow former co-workers. | ||
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===Parents=== | ===Parents=== | ||
* [[Archibald Johnstone]] – father, who served for many years as a grain inspector for the federal government in [ | * [[Archibald Johnstone]] – father, who served for many years as a grain inspector for the federal government in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Ontario Port Arthur] | ||
* [[Grace Johnstone|Grace Brown Johnstone]] – mother | * [[Grace Johnstone|Grace Brown Johnstone]] – mother | ||
===Wife=== | ===Wife=== | ||
* [[Joan Johnstone|Joan Bryer]] (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004) – married in 1951; lifelong resident of [ | * [[Joan Johnstone|Joan Bryer]] (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004) – married in 1951; lifelong resident of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay Thunder Bay]; daughter of [[Doris Suttie]] (1912–2012) and George Bryer (died 1962); granddaughter of [[Edward Langley Snook]]; great-granddaughter of [[John Gray Snook]] | ||
===Children=== | ===Children=== | ||
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Bruce and Joan raised three daughters: | Bruce and Joan raised three daughters: | ||
* [[Patricia Lawson|Patricia (Jamie) Lawson]] – of [ | * [[Patricia Lawson|Patricia (Jamie) Lawson]] – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbotsford,_British_Columbia Abbotsford, B.C.] | ||
** [[Sarah Lawson]] | ** [[Sarah Lawson]] | ||
** [[Jonathon Lawson]] | ** [[Jonathon Lawson]] | ||
** [[Michael Lawson]] | ** [[Michael Lawson]] | ||
** [[Elora Lawson]] (great-grandchild) | ** [[Elora Lawson]] (great-grandchild) | ||
* [[Wendy Ridley|Wendy (Douglas) Ridley]] – of [ | * [[Wendy Ridley|Wendy (Douglas) Ridley]] – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg, MB] | ||
** [[Melanie Hall|Melanie (Cam) Hall]] | ** [[Melanie Hall|Melanie (Cam) Hall]] | ||
*** [[Ethan Hall]] (great-grandchild) | *** [[Ethan Hall]] (great-grandchild) | ||
*** [[Emily Hall]] (great-grandchild) | *** [[Emily Hall]] (great-grandchild) | ||
* [[Carol Walker|Carol (Jim) Walker]] – of [ | * [[Carol Walker|Carol (Jim) Walker]] – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay Thunder Bay] | ||
** [[Alex Walker]] | ** [[Alex Walker]] | ||
** [[Autumn Walker]] | ** [[Autumn Walker]] | ||
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'''Survived Bruce:''' | '''Survived Bruce:''' | ||
* [[Jack Kerr]] (Jan) – of [ | * [[Jack Kerr]] (Jan) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannon_Falls,_Minnesota Cannon Falls, Minn.] | ||
* [[Jim Johnstone|James Bell "Jim" Johnstone]] (30 August 1926 – 28 September 2007) – of [ | * [[Jim Johnstone|James Bell "Jim" Johnstone]] (30 August 1926 – 28 September 2007) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg, MB]; worked 37 years with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway Canadian Pacific Railway] | ||
* [[Richard Watson Johnstone]] (1939 – 19 September 2009) – of [ | * [[Richard Watson Johnstone]] (1939 – 19 September 2009) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbotsford,_British_Columbia Abbotsford, B.C.]; millwright with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolute_Forest_Products Great Lakes Paper] (Bowater) in Thunder Bay | ||
* [[Grace May Giesbrecht]] (30 May 1934 – 3 April 2017) (married [[Daniel Giesbrecht|Dan]] (1931–2015)) – of [ | * [[Grace May Giesbrecht]] (30 May 1934 – 3 April 2017) (married [[Daniel Giesbrecht|Dan]] (1931–2015)) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilliwack Chilliwack, B.C.] | ||
* [[Jean Lightfoot]] (married [[John Lightfoot|John]]) – of [ | * [[Jean Lightfoot]] (married [[John Lightfoot|John]]) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbotsford,_British_Columbia Abbotsford, B.C.], and possibly still alive as of 2026 | ||
* [[Don Johnstone]] (married [[Martha Johnstone|Martha "Marty" Ewert]]) – of [ | * [[Don Johnstone]] (married [[Martha Johnstone|Martha "Marty" Ewert]]) – of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay Thunder Bay]; lived at 80 [[South Hill Street, Thunder Bay|Hill Street South]]; an early computer enthusiast and reseller in the 1990s | ||
'''Predeceased Bruce:''' | '''Predeceased Bruce:''' | ||
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==Death== | ==Death== | ||
Bruce passed away peacefully on 2 December 2002 at [ | Bruce passed away peacefully on 2 December 2002 at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay_Regional_Health_Sciences_Centre Thunder Bay Regional Hospital – McKellar], after a lengthy illness, with his family by his side. He was 71 years old. | ||
As per his wishes, cremation took place and a memorial service celebrating his life was held at St. Michael's and All Angels Church on 5 December 2002, with Rev. Peter Smyth officiating. Interment took place at a later date in the Memorial Gardens at St. Michael's and All Angels. | As per his wishes, cremation took place and a memorial service celebrating his life was held at St. Michael's and All Angels Church on 5 December 2002, with Rev. Peter Smyth officiating. Interment took place at a later date in the Memorial Gardens at St. Michael's and All Angels. | ||
Revision as of 10:06, 17 February 2026
Bruce Johnstone (1931 – 2 December 2002) was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay who served with the Thunder Bay Police Department for over 30 years, rising to the rank of Detective Staff Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Branch. He received the Médaille de la police pour services distingués from the Governor General of Canada on 14 March 1984.
He was the son of Archibald Johnstone, a federal grain inspector in Port Arthur, and his wife Grace Brown Johnstone.
He was married to Joan Bryer (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004), the granddaughter of Edward Langley Snook (1881 Salisbury – 1952 Port Arthur), and the great-granddaughter of John Gray Snook. Bruce and Joan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2001.
Career
Bruce began his employment with the Thunder Bay Police Department on 23 June 1952. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he served in several capacities including as an assistant chief and head of detectives. He retired as Detective Staff Sergeant, Criminal Investigation Branch, on 30 June 1986. [1]
On 14 March 1984, he was awarded the Médaille de la police pour services distingués (Police Exemplary Service Medal) by the Governor General of Canada. [2]
In retirement, he enjoyed regular breakfast outings with his fellow former co-workers.
Family
Parents
- Archibald Johnstone – father, who served for many years as a grain inspector for the federal government in Port Arthur
- Grace Brown Johnstone – mother
Wife
- Joan Bryer (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004) – married in 1951; lifelong resident of Thunder Bay; daughter of Doris Suttie (1912–2012) and George Bryer (died 1962); granddaughter of Edward Langley Snook; great-granddaughter of John Gray Snook
Children
Bruce and Joan raised three daughters:
- Patricia (Jamie) Lawson – of Abbotsford, B.C.
- Sarah Lawson
- Jonathon Lawson
- Michael Lawson
- Elora Lawson (great-grandchild)
- Wendy (Douglas) Ridley – of Winnipeg, MB
- Melanie (Cam) Hall
- Ethan Hall (great-grandchild)
- Emily Hall (great-grandchild)
- Melanie (Cam) Hall
- Carol (Jim) Walker – of Thunder Bay
Siblings
Bruce had at least nine siblings, some of whom may be half-siblings or step-siblings (some carry the surname Kerr, suggesting their mother Grace Brown Johnstone may have remarried):
Survived Bruce:
- Jack Kerr (Jan) – of Cannon Falls, Minn.
- James Bell "Jim" Johnstone (30 August 1926 – 28 September 2007) – of Winnipeg, MB; worked 37 years with the Canadian Pacific Railway
- Richard Watson Johnstone (1939 – 19 September 2009) – of Abbotsford, B.C.; millwright with Great Lakes Paper (Bowater) in Thunder Bay
- Grace May Giesbrecht (30 May 1934 – 3 April 2017) (married Dan (1931–2015)) – of Chilliwack, B.C.
- Jean Lightfoot (married John) – of Abbotsford, B.C., and possibly still alive as of 2026
- Don Johnstone (married Martha "Marty" Ewert) – of Thunder Bay; lived at 80 Hill Street South; an early computer enthusiast and reseller in the 1990s
Predeceased Bruce:
- Dorothy Hooke (married Terry)
- Marion Johnstone
- Viola Tuhkanen (married Urho Matias "Matt" Tuhkanen (1930 – 2 December 2017))
- Robert Kerr
Death
Bruce passed away peacefully on 2 December 2002 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital – McKellar, after a lengthy illness, with his family by his side. He was 71 years old.
As per his wishes, cremation took place and a memorial service celebrating his life was held at St. Michael's and All Angels Church on 5 December 2002, with Rev. Peter Smyth officiating. Interment took place at a later date in the Memorial Gardens at St. Michael's and All Angels.
Sources
[1 Bruce Johnstone obituary, The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, December 2002]
[2 Governor General of Canada – Médaille de la police pour services distingués, 14 March 1984]