Wm. Robert Johnson

William Robert (or Bob as he was known) was born on May 7th 1934 in Matheson, Ontario.  At the age of 5, his family moved to Downsview where he attended Kent PS until he graduated from grade 8 and Bloor Collegiate where he completed grade 9.  Just about the time he was about to enter grade 10, he decided to join the Canadian Armed Services.  At the time he was still 17 years old and had to convince his mother to sign a permission form for him to enlist as an underage soldier.  He served 3 years in the Queen’s Own Rifles from 1951 – 54.  It was during his army days that he went on a blind date and had the good fortune to meet beautiful young, Anne Gracey who would later become the love of his life.

When Bob was in town, he and Anne loved to go dancing at the Young People’s Anglican gatherings, the Boulevard Club and Casa Loma.  Of course he in his army uniform and Anne in her beautiful cocktail dress would dance the night away.  On July 14, 1956 the lovebirds were married at St. Anne’s Anglican Church in Toronto. 

Bob was a proud member of the Toronto Fire Service for 26 years where he rose to the position of captain and was affectionately known as “Captain Bob”.  Bob and Anne had three daughters:  Paula Jane, Heidi Elizabeth and Ruth Allison.  They were married for 54 wonderful years before Anne pre-deceased him on July 27, 2010.  They are proud Grandparents of Christopher, Katherine, Olivia and Daniel and Great-Grandparents of Nathan, Madison and Meghan.

Bob and Anne retired to Dwight, Ontario where they made many friends and where they both served the community as members of the Dwight Lions Club.  Bob served as President of the Club as well as, the Bulletin Editor.   He always called Dwight, their “Camelot”.

Visitation will be held at the Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 High Street, Huntsville, on Tuesday, May30, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8pm.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chaple on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 1pm, a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.