Bruce Johnstone

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)
• Carol (Jim) Walker – of Thunder Bay
  • Alex Walker
  • Autumn Walker
  • Aaron Walker

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]