Gregory Allan Johnson, PhD

With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Dr. Gregory Johnson of Athabasca. Many people in the community will recognize him as a  Pony Club and Dance Dad, a dedicated swimmer, and avid conversationalist.

            Greg was born in New Westminster in 1955 and grew up in Maple Ridge where his early passions for fishing, guitar, and snooker were nurtured. Evening and weekend shifts at the Hammond Sawmill and stints in the woods on Vancouver Island helped him pay for his education at the University of British Columbia.

            He pursued his interest in political and diplomatic history earning his masters’ from U.B.C. in 1982 and his doctorate from York University in 1989. He took a contract position at the University of Alberta in 1990 and was awarded a Grant Notley Postdoctoral Fellowship in 1991.  Different contract positions took him to Victoria, Red Deer, Edmonton and then to Lac La Biche where he coordinated the town’s bicentennial celebrations in 1998 and published The Lac La Biche Chronicles.

            Greg started teaching history at Athabasca University in 1999 and moved to town in 2001.  That year he and three other paddling professors took a History Channel crew over the Methye Portage.  Over the years he contributed to the local heritage society with the grant application for the West Athabasca School, restoration work in the train station, and preparing the walking tour book and publishing “Why Athabasca?” to mark the town’s centennial in 2011. He had special gifts for friendship and service. He loved cooking good food for family and friends, and happily lent his skills to the senior’s centre.

            In retirement he pursued many different projects and stayed active with swimming, yoga, snooker, and woodworking. He was delighted to participate in the Fort Assiniboine Bicentennial canoe brigade last year and undertook the greater challenge of paddling from The Pas to Jenpeg in Manitoba this past summer.

             Greg will be sorely missed by his wife Nancy Parker and daughters Sarah (Darrian) and Ashley (Connor). His mother Olga Johnson of Maple Ridge, brothers Mark (Kathy) in Nanaimo and Lance (Tracy) in North Vancouver deeply mourn his passing. His six nieces and nephews, and many cousins will all miss his stories and good humor.

            Greg’s family offer profound thanks to the first responders and staff at the Athabasca Health Centre for their assistance.

            A memorial service will be held at the Athabasca United Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 8th with a gathering to follow at the Athabasca Senior’s Centre.

            In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Athabasca Heath-Care Auxiliary Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

            Condolences can be sent via the Athabasca Community Chapel.

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