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FLOYD BENNETT WILLISTON
Born: Jan 12, 1931
Date of Passing: Dec 28, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryFLOYD BENNETT WILLISTON He was born on January 12, 1931. He lived; He died on December 28, 2015. After a brief illness, Floyd passed away peacefully. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Floyd came west in the early 1954. Ever the traveller he was the Canadian representative for the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) and was involved in the planning for the two world Youth festivals, In Moscow in 1959 and Vienna two years later. The World Youth Festivals for Peace and Friendship, Mir I Druzhba, Rauha ya Ustivis. The Festivals, which were occurring in Europe every two at that time. In Budapest he married his Winnipeg sweetheart, Elsie Sawiuk, his lifelong partner and when they returned to Winnipeg with infant son Donny he became manager of the Coop Book Shop in which capacity he also became the impresario for the Coop Folk Concerts, bringing in such notables as Pete Seeger, for whom he was Canadian agent, Guy Carawan, Odetta, Ewan Macall, the Mitchell trio, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and even had a contract with Bob Dylan (who never showed up), as well as many other luminaries in the field of folk music field at the time and played an important role in the Canadian Folk Song Revival. Over his lifetime Floyd's career included: A founding member of the Winnipeg Folk Festival; Winnipeg Folk Festival; New FACESS: Child and Family Services: General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres: Director of the Provincial Job Office (SNNEP); a member of the Manitoba Peace Council; Freelance correspondent for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Newspapers; partner in Galleria Travel, Manitoba Maritimers Association, and in the last few years he was a member of the Boards of the Seven Oaks Historical Society and the North East Winnipeg Historical Society. Despite all these activities Floyd also found time to write. He authored the first biography of "Johnny Miles, Nova Scotia's Marathon King," Boston marathon runner and two time winner, with whom he formed a life time friendship and then "Through Footless Halls of Air": the stories of several RCAF pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain in which two of his brothers died, David and Albert. Floyd is survived by his wife Elsie. He was predeceased, by his two sons Donald and David, his brother-in-law William (Sawiuk) and by his in-laws, Peter and Irene Sawiuk. He was also predeceased by his mother Katherine (McLeod) Williston and father, John Harry Williston; brothers and sisters, Malcolm, Royce, David, Albert, Art, Harry and Dr. Johnny, Isabelle, and Mary; his nephews, Jack, Jimmy Billy MacDonald and his uncle A.A.McLeod. A special thank you to Dr. Harvey Lee and Doctor Pilot and the caring staff at the N332 Concordia hospital who for making him as comfortable as they were able. There will be a reception in Floyd's honour at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 02, 2016
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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I have only recently learned of the passing of Floyd, although I never met him I was in touch with him a few years ago and was delighted to receive a signed copy of his book 'Through Footless Halls of Air', I am the nephew of the late Frank Lewis Higgins DFM navigator of Lancaster ME669 ZN-O piloted by Fred Mifflin and the aircraft on which Norman Jackson gained his V.C. we will certainly mourn the passing of such a knowledgeable author and researcher, thoughts go out to his family. - Posted by: Barry Raymond () on: Sep 16, 2016
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I shared a common interest with Floyd Williston. We were both researching John J. McDermott - the winner of the first Boston Marathon. Thank you Floyd Williston for your insights and passion for the truth. I will continue the search for John J. McDermott's elusive heritage and background and I hope to finish this race in Filoyd's honor. - Posted by: Paul Baltutis (Friend) on: May 02, 2016
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Just learned of Floyd's passing in February. Shocking news losing a friend. We met in 1953 on a boat train to Europe and kept friendship going. Met Elsie through Floyd and became a friend as we raised our children and enjoyed similar interests. My family and I will always remember Floyd and hope Elsie well. Esther Korchynski(John) Eda, Yuri, Sonia - Posted by: Esther Korchynski (Friend) on: Feb 20, 2016
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I lost touch with Floyd several years ago...and then, by pure chance, I acted upon the urge to search for "Floyd Williston" on google.com. I'm so saddened to learn that he just passed away. Back in 2006, based upon my extensive research, Floyd wrote a Sydney, NS newspaper story about a Sydney native in the RCAF, Arthur Harris, who had died with his bomber crew in Burma. I had extensively researched this story, but it was Floyd's talents as a writer, and his connections in Sydney, which led to this story being printed. I should add that I cherish my signed copy of his moving book, "Through Footless Halls of Air". Rest in Peace, Floyd. - Posted by: Matt Poole (Research associate) on: Jan 07, 2016
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Elsie, my heartfelt thoughts are with you. I'm sorry that I learned of Floyd's passing too late to attend the memorial. I would have loved to have seen you and joined others in wishing Floyd 'fair sailing'. - Posted by: Susan White () on: Jan 05, 2016
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Elsie, our sincere sympathy to you. We will always remember the many, many interesting times we had with Floyd. - Posted by: Don and Joyce Sobering () on: Jan 05, 2016
