Obituary for Swede Johnson
The Johnson Family is sad to announce the passing of Swede (Clarence Allan) Johnson. He passed in peacefully in his sleep on December 7, 2022 at Roseview Manor.
Swede was born July 9, 1932 in the family home on Machar Avenue by newly arrived Swedish Immigrants, Victor and Anna Johnson.
He didn’t learn English until his early childhood years hence his nickname for the next 84 years.
He spent most of his childhood in Current River on the family farm with his younger brother Leonard and sister Anne. He had an adventurous childhood exploring Current River, swimming in the river, delivering newspapers and developing a love of sports that would continue to grow though out his life. He attended Port Arthur Tech (Hillcrest) where his love of sports grew and he played football and basketball.
He began an electrical apprenticeship with Peterson Electric in 1952 and 7 years later founded C.A. Johnson Electric Ltd.
With humble beginnings he worked out of a small house on Algoma Street and lovingly built his company over the next 40 years. He built and ran a successful, well respected, Electrical Contracting Business and later Real Estate Development Company with the help of many long-term friends, family, and great employees.
In 1966 he met a wonderful nurse from Mckenzie Island, named Jean Kennedy. A couple of short years later, they were married, and started a family. Within a few years David, Tracy and Jill arrived and the family was complete.
While raising a family and running a business, Swede and Jean purchased a piece of land on Shebandowan Lake and slowly built a camp. Shebandawan quickly became his favorite place and after a move down the lake and countless hours of labour, the family remains there 54 years later.
He loved being surrounded by friends and family at the lake. He spent countless hours taking kids waterskiing, boating and fishing. An avid outdoorsman he hunted, fished and was always happy working on the next camp project. His favorite part of the day was watching the sun set with a rum and coke in his hand and a steak on the grill.
Winter weekends were spent skiing at Mount Baldy or Lutsen with family and friends or watching David play hockey. He looked forward to his annual trip to Snow Mass every year with his ski buddies. Good times or bad he made sure we took our annual trip to Florida with many other close friends and families.
Swede and Jean travelled often and spent many happy years in Florida and later Arizona. Many fun trips to Europe, the Caribbean, cruises, Mexico and out west to visit his daughters.
Swede and Jean were members of the Thunder Bay country club. They cultivated lifelong friendships and a love of golf and curling. Swede and his friends would play gin every weekday and lunch there for decades. Later it was coffee group every morning at Daytona’s.
Swede was a valued member of the community with numerous years as a member and past president of the Hill City Kinsman, elected to the Thunder Bay Hydro Commission for 5-4-year terms, sat on the board of directors of C.A.A for many years, Past President of the Construction Association of Thunder Bay. His company sponsored many hockey teams that allowed kids who couldn’t afford hockey the opportunity to hit the ice fully equipped.
Always full of energy and blessed with an outgoing fun-loving personality, he could make a friend anywhere. He connected to people easily with his positive outlook and generous spirit. Always the life of party, he will forever be remembered for his wonderful capacity to live life to the fullest.
Thanks to friends and family and the wonderful staff at Roseview for their support throughout his Alzheimer’s journey
Predeceased by his parents Victor and Anna Johnson, sister Ann, brother Lenard and sister in law Joan. Survived by beloved wife Jean, son David (Lorna), daughters Tracy (Max) and Jill and grandchildren Parker, Sydney, Liam, Harrison, Grady and Tom. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Prince Arthur Hotel, Provincial Room on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Words of tribute will be held at 5:30 p.m. For those wishing to donate in Swedes memory, please consider St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Fund for the Manor house or to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
Swede was born July 9, 1932 in the family home on Machar Avenue by newly arrived Swedish Immigrants, Victor and Anna Johnson.
He didn’t learn English until his early childhood years hence his nickname for the next 84 years.
He spent most of his childhood in Current River on the family farm with his younger brother Leonard and sister Anne. He had an adventurous childhood exploring Current River, swimming in the river, delivering newspapers and developing a love of sports that would continue to grow though out his life. He attended Port Arthur Tech (Hillcrest) where his love of sports grew and he played football and basketball.
He began an electrical apprenticeship with Peterson Electric in 1952 and 7 years later founded C.A. Johnson Electric Ltd.
With humble beginnings he worked out of a small house on Algoma Street and lovingly built his company over the next 40 years. He built and ran a successful, well respected, Electrical Contracting Business and later Real Estate Development Company with the help of many long-term friends, family, and great employees.
In 1966 he met a wonderful nurse from Mckenzie Island, named Jean Kennedy. A couple of short years later, they were married, and started a family. Within a few years David, Tracy and Jill arrived and the family was complete.
While raising a family and running a business, Swede and Jean purchased a piece of land on Shebandowan Lake and slowly built a camp. Shebandawan quickly became his favorite place and after a move down the lake and countless hours of labour, the family remains there 54 years later.
He loved being surrounded by friends and family at the lake. He spent countless hours taking kids waterskiing, boating and fishing. An avid outdoorsman he hunted, fished and was always happy working on the next camp project. His favorite part of the day was watching the sun set with a rum and coke in his hand and a steak on the grill.
Winter weekends were spent skiing at Mount Baldy or Lutsen with family and friends or watching David play hockey. He looked forward to his annual trip to Snow Mass every year with his ski buddies. Good times or bad he made sure we took our annual trip to Florida with many other close friends and families.
Swede and Jean travelled often and spent many happy years in Florida and later Arizona. Many fun trips to Europe, the Caribbean, cruises, Mexico and out west to visit his daughters.
Swede and Jean were members of the Thunder Bay country club. They cultivated lifelong friendships and a love of golf and curling. Swede and his friends would play gin every weekday and lunch there for decades. Later it was coffee group every morning at Daytona’s.
Swede was a valued member of the community with numerous years as a member and past president of the Hill City Kinsman, elected to the Thunder Bay Hydro Commission for 5-4-year terms, sat on the board of directors of C.A.A for many years, Past President of the Construction Association of Thunder Bay. His company sponsored many hockey teams that allowed kids who couldn’t afford hockey the opportunity to hit the ice fully equipped.
Always full of energy and blessed with an outgoing fun-loving personality, he could make a friend anywhere. He connected to people easily with his positive outlook and generous spirit. Always the life of party, he will forever be remembered for his wonderful capacity to live life to the fullest.
Thanks to friends and family and the wonderful staff at Roseview for their support throughout his Alzheimer’s journey
Predeceased by his parents Victor and Anna Johnson, sister Ann, brother Lenard and sister in law Joan. Survived by beloved wife Jean, son David (Lorna), daughters Tracy (Max) and Jill and grandchildren Parker, Sydney, Liam, Harrison, Grady and Tom. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Prince Arthur Hotel, Provincial Room on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Words of tribute will be held at 5:30 p.m. For those wishing to donate in Swedes memory, please consider St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Fund for the Manor house or to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.