It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Stanley Joseph Johnson, age 83, caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle on Friday, March 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care facility.
Born April 28, 1939, in Barra Head, NS he was the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Battiste) Johnson. Stan was one of thirteen children and their youngest son.
Stan was a lifelong tradesman and enjoyed working with his hands. A true jack-of-all-trades, Stan was the family cabinet maker, carpenter, mechanic, and go-to handyman for decades. There is a large percentage of homes and businesses in Eskasoni alone that have evidence of Stan’s work, from household cabinets in family kitchens to the church pews at Holy Family Parish. Stan was also a survivor of the Shubenacadie Residential School.
Stan enjoyed many pastimes and hobbies over the years, and was a true musician. He was an avid hunter and trapper in his younger years with his brothers and had lots of stories and tales about their adventures. He enjoyed gambling as well, and also seemed to have a talent for being able to play any instrument he picked up. He spent many years in his younger days playing at square dances and accompanying the late fiddler Lee Cremo playing piano or guitar in his shows around the maritimes. He passed his musical talent down to his children, and personally favoured listening to classic country tunes daily.
His family will forever remember his sense of humour and his quick wit, he could always make you laugh, enjoyed storytelling and either telling or hearing a good joke. He had inside jokes or nicknames for several family members, and since he had such a large family, was well known as ‘Uncle Stan’ everywhere, but especially in Castle Bay, as he spent lots of time there with his nieces and nephews there and got to know their children and friends - eventually most of the community just knew him as Uncle Stan. Fiercely independent throughout his life, when he was unable to drive himself anywhere anymore, his favourite past time was simply going for a drive - anywhere - but will be especially missed on future trips for ice cream with Annie and Rob.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie, his children Stanley Johnson Jr. (Gem), Thomas Johnson (Carol Anne), Lisa Johnson, Serena Paul (Brian), Annie E. Johnson (Robert), Tristan Johnson and Austan Johnson. He is also survived by special daughter Anita Marshall (Esmond). Stan is survived by two of his sisters Gladys ‘Gusty’ DiPietro and Patricia Bernard. Stan also had fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, John T. Johnson, Lo’li (Roddie) Johnson, Theresa Sylliboy, Flora Denny, Anna Jean Doucette, Leo Johnson, Sarah Sark, Howard Johnson, Matthew ‘Matti’j’ Johnson and Georgina Julian. He was also predeceased by granddaughter Kirsten Johnson and Godchildren Kenny Tana’s Sylliboy, Rodney Johnson and Norman 'Inky' Doucette. Stan was predeceased by numerous nieces and nephews, but had a special relationship with his late niece Lorraine Sylliboy.
Visitation will take place at the Gabriel Centre, 50 Gabriel St., Eskasoni starting at 7pm on Thursday, March 9th, 2023 with a Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at 10:30a.m. at Holy Family Church, Eskasoni, NS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
