Patricia May (Nov. 12, 1932 – May 23, 2024)
Thomas Arthur Johnson (Feb. 10, 1934 – Dec. 12, 2024)
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of both Patricia May (Nov. 12, 1932 – May 23, 2024) and Thomas Arthur Johnson (Feb. 10, 1934 – Dec. 12, 2024).
Pat passed away peacefully in Comox, BC at the age of 91. Tom passed away just a few short months later in Courtenay, BC at the age of 90.
Both Pat and Tom are survived by their grandchildren, Janna Johnson (Stefan) and Andrew Johnson (Angelique), and their great-granddaughter Paris.
Tom is survived by his nieces and nephews and their children. Pat is survived by her sisters Jeanette, Katherine and Margaret and their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pat and Tom were predeceased by their sons, Stephen and Derek (Melany). Tom was the baby in his family and was predeceased by his parents Henry and
Isabella Johnson (nee McPhee) and siblings Henry, Edith, Pauline, Florence and Frederick. Pat was
predeceased by her parents Stephen and Edith MacDonald (nee Wood).
Pat was born in Nelson, BC and then moved with her family to the Lower Mainland. She told stories of growing up in the Kootenays fishing and picking fruit with her sisters. When their dad died while she was still a teenager, Pat, as the oldest sister, went to work to help her mum support the family. Tom was born in New Westminster, BC and moved several times with his family as he was growing up in the Lower Mainland, Lumby, Vernon and Ladysmith. He started working in Vancouver as a truck driver as a teenager with a “borrowed” drivers license! He loved telling tall tales of his time working in the logging industry out on the west coast of Vancouver Island, remote coastal inlets on mainland BC and up north.
Pat and Tom met in Prince George, BC (Pat was working in the UI office and Tom was a client!) and were married June 21, 1958. They were together from
that day on, partners in life and love. They owned and ran a successful gas station service and repair business together in Prince George, brought up their two boys and got involved in the community. They loved getting out in their river boat with friends, fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors. They were
always the first ones to offer help to friends or family in need, including becoming foster parents. They had a practical strength and generosity.
Pat and Tom retired in their mid-50s to Royston, BC and began 25 years of adventuring in their RV, exploring North America from Arizona to Alaska,
the backroads of Vancouver Island and east to Newfoundland. They’d come back with stories, photos (very meticulously organized by Pat!) and news of
many new friends that they’d made along the way. We will always remember Tom’s sense of humour and Pat’s warm hugs. They will both be very greatly
missed.
A celebration of life is being planned for Spring 2025, TBA.
For anyone wishing to honour their memory, donations may be made to the BC Alzheimer Society.
Published in the Prince George Citizen on January 16, 2025.