Thomas Ashley Johnston was born, October 5, 1925 at the Portage General Hospital, in Portage La Prairie and passed away on October 19, 2022 at the Whitemouth Personal Care Home, in his 97th year.
Tom is survived by his daughters Marilyn (Marc) Ruta and Christine Tomlin and son-in-law Dave Tomlin; grandchildren Kelli (Jordan) Gavaga, Jodi Ruta (Clinton) Orr, and Paul Ruta; great-grandchildren Holden and Callum Gavaga. Also surviving are brother Sidney Johnston, as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends, and his children’s mother Eugenie Johnston.
Tom was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Dorothy (nee Stewart) Johnston, and his son Allan Johnston along with his wife Linda (Sol) and their young son Dale. Also predeceasing him are his brothers Earl (Doreen) and Frank (Clara) and his sister Myrtle Grouette.
Tom was raised on a farm south-west of Portage La Prairie. He attended the rural school which only went to Grade 8. The rest of his education was earned in the School of Life. Tom did not care for farm life and at the age of 14 he left home to live with an aunt and uncle in Toronto, Ontario. In those early, youthful days he spent his time building model airplanes and tinkering with engines to make them fly, which instilled a desire to fly real ones. To further his education in the mechanical field, he enlisted in the army as soon as he was of age.
After the war, and his discharge, he returned to Portage la Prairie and his family home. He spent his first winter ice-fishing with a commercial fisherman on Lake Manitoba. When a job came up in a garage in Gladstone, MB he took it. However, his energy and many other interests led him back to the City of Portage la Prairie.
His friends in Portage were learning to fly and buying air craft and also building and racing speed boats. Portage flying and boating clubs were formed and he became fully involved. He had purchased a garage in town and started a motor rebuilding business and became active in community service – especially Rotary, however his eye was always in the sky.
As soon as possible he took his flying training and didn’t stop until he had his commercial license and could buy his first small aircraft. Before long he established his Air Service at Nutimik Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park with only one small aircraft, but the family business grew in leaps and bounds. After several years in the park he relocated to Lac du Bonnet, MB, where with his vision and determination, the business prospered for many decades.
Tom loved flying and for many years in the winters he piloted his plane to different places in the Caribbean.
He had a passion for salvaging and restoring aircraft, and would work tirelessly at it. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman and would involve himself on many boards and projects with tourism, conservation and community affairs.
Tom was thrilled and proud when all three of his children followed in his footsteps and got their pilot’s license.
The family extends sincere thanks to the staff at the Whitemouth Personal Care Home for all the care and compassion they showed our father.
A Celebration of Life will be held on opening day of fishing season in May, 2023. Service details will follow next year.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to a charity of your choice, or to Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, 2088 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 1C1
Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas Ashley (Tom) Johnston
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Vivien
Our condolences go to all the family. Your Australian family are sending love to you all. It is a sad time but remember you have lots of memories.
Donella
I have fond memories of visits to Lac Du Bonnet in our summers growing up. Uncle Tom was very busy with his aviation career. I was thrilled when we got rides. The landing on the water is something I’ll never forget.
Love, hugs and compassion go to the family. Special hugs to Marilyn and Christine.
Love,
Scott and Donella Davidson
Heather
Sorry for your loss.
John and Pauline
Our condolences to the family. He will be missed. He was a hard worker and full of life. Tom would say to anyone telling him how lucky he was. Ye,s I am lucky, the harder I work the luckier I get. Good bless you Tom. We will miss you ❤️❤️
Muriel Davidson
My sincere condolences to cousin Tom’s daughters Marilyn and Christine and their families and to cousin Sid and Eugenie Johnston . So very sorry for your loss . Lovingly remembered . Cousin Muriel( Carmichael) Davidson and family
Jackie Hodge
Sorry to hear the loss of your father, grandfather and friend. Tom will be missed by all that knew him .RIP Tom
Anne (Netta) Balness
Marilyn and all of your family. So sorry to hear this news. He will be missed. He was a very nice guy.
Manny Sikkenga
I am so sorry for your loss.
Big hugs for all of you.
Don Hoffman
Please accept our condolences to the family. Don and Sharon Hoffman
Dennis & Rosalie
Our deepest condolences go out to you Marilyn, Marc and family, and Christine on the passing of you father. Dennis & Rosalie
Ernie Hoffman
We are very sorry for your loss
Love
Ernie and Dixie Hoffman, Prince George, BC
Ray Noel
With all our Deepest sympathy to the Johnston family. He was great man and friend to me.
All our love
Ray and Cameron
Bonnie Bailey
My condolences to Chris, Marilyn and the Johnston family on the loss of your father.
He was remembered as an exceptional pilot for so many years in Manitoba. He flew my husband Grant and son Bryan from Pinawa with their canoe into many lakes many years ago.
I am sorry for your loss.
Bonnie Bailey
Myron & Judy Gavaga
So sorry to read of Tom’s passing. The last of the great adventurers…he will be missed…Our condolences to the family….
Don Burnside
Our Condolences to Marilyn , Christine and rest of Johnston family. Tommy will be greatly missed
Dave Donahue
Marilyn and family I am so sorry for your loss.
Cheryl Shaw
To all of Mr. Johnston’s family
I have many fond memories of the air service and Mr. Johnston at Nutimik Lake as our family camped there for many years. My parents knew him from Gladstone as that is where they were born and raised. At the lake..every morning…you did not need to look to see the time..as the planes would fire up at 7am. It was a part of the camping world out there. I loved watching them take off and land. I was very fortunate one weekend, when Mr. Johnston offered to take us kids (brothers Larry & Michael and me) up in the plane, for a short spin. It was a thrill of a lifetime for a young girl…he took me on my first plane ride. I have never forgotten his kindness and generosity in doing this…Rest in peace and may you enjoy taking flight again in the skies.
With deepest sympathy,
Cheryl Shaw (nee Hamende)
Nadine Welz
My Condolence to the Family and Friends. Memories will keep him close to your heart.