THOMAS SMITH JOHNSTONE (TOM)

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THOMAS SMITH JOHNSTONE
September 28, 1944 - May 24, 2021

Tom passed away peacefully in the wee hours of May 24 with his loving wife Janet by his side. They had nearly 55 wonderful years together. He also leaves to cherish his memory, children, Elizabeth (Les) and Graham (Amanda); adored grandchildren, James (Beth) and Katherine (Mason); sisters-in-law, Ann and Maureen; sister Lynn; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, as well as his close friends.
Tom was predeceased by his parents; his big brother Billy; his parents-in-law; and his three brothers-in-law, Ramsay, Bob and Harvey.
Tom was born the middle child in Kilmarnock, Scotland, to Lawrence and Mary Johnstone. Growing up in Scotland, he was football (soccer) daft, as his mother would say. He carried that passion his whole life. He trained and worked as a plumber's apprentice in Scotland until he married Janet in July 1966 and they immigrated to Winnipeg just a week after their wedding, with a couple hundred bucks in their pockets and a job at CN.
After leaving their family in Scotland, Tom and Janet created a new family with the Winnipeg soccer community and the many Scottish, English and Irish that immigrated to Canada around the same time. Tom was well-liked and established long friendships with many of these ex-pats. Tom was a very social person and made friends easily. He had many friends from their travels to Mexico, the Dominican, Cuba, Florida and across Canada. No matter where he went, he either knew someone or made a new friend.
Tom continued playing soccer when he came to Canada and played until he was in his 50s; he also coached, refereed and attended all of his grandson's games. Tom was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 as a member of the 1970 Manitoba Selects soccer team who won the national championship. In addition to soccer, he was an avid hockey, CFL and curling fan.
Tom was a pipefitter at CN until his retirement after more than 30 years there. After CN, he worked at Club Regent as the unofficial ambassador of Transcona in between doing what he was supposed to be doing at the casino, until he retired a second time a few years later to be a full-time grandpa.
The family would like to thank Dr. Johnson and the N1 staff at Concordia Hospital for their compassionate care of Tom in his last days.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Anyone so wishing, can donate in memory of Tom to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba, or the Manitoba Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Family and friends were everything to him.
Tom, Dad, Papa Tom, Uncle Tom,
wee Tommy, you are so loved
and will be deeply missed by all.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE
Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations
204-421-5501 - EthicalDeathCare.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 29, 2021