Brian Mitchell Johnston

August 1, 1931 - June 3, 2023

After a couple of years of declining health, a recent fall at home landed Brian in hospital, and in great pain. His suffering ended on June 3, 2023 at the age of 91 years.

Brian will be remembered by his sons Clive (Erlinda), Peter (Jo-Ann) and David. Grandchildren: Michael, Alex, Thomas, Chanel and Cody Johnston and sister Patricia (Johnston) Hunter. Brian was predeceased by his first wife Frances (Eaton) Johnston; second wife Denise (Dumas) Johnston; parents Gladys and Peter Johnston; sisters Olive and Gladys; brothers Peter, Alan and Adrian.

Brian joined the Eagle Oil Co. in the UK at the age of 17 where he apprenticed onboard oil tankers while completing his high school education. After visiting ports all over the world while earning his Masters Ticket at sea, Brian decided to “come ashore” and take a land based job. Brian came to Canada in 1959 to find work in Quebec and soon after in Toronto Ontario where he met and married Frances. In 1961 he moved, with Frances, to the B.C. coast for the mild climate and to work in the marine industry. Brian worked for the Canadian Coast Guard as a captain on the weathership Alexander MacKenzie stationed in Prince Rupert B.C. Then in 1964 he took a job as a Steamship Inspector and, ultimately, as a Port Warden for the Department of Transport in Vancouver. He worked for the DoT for 25 years until he retired in 1990. Brian was very technically oriented and was always in the garage or basement workshop inventing and developing new things to enhance marine safety in the shipping business.

Brian will be sadly missed, but surely be remembered with fondness by his family and many friends. The Johnston family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Peace Arch hospital for all the care they provided him during numerous stays in the last 6 months of his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831, 28th Ave, Surrey, BC, V4P 1P3.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making an in-memorial donation to the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Dean’s Innovation Fund.