JOHNSON, Peter

Looking forward to hosting a special day with his family at home in Midhurst, Peter lay down for a rest on Easter Sunday, and passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Beloved husband of Sue for 53 years, loving father to Laurie (Neil) and Lynn (Todd), and proud Papa to Ella, Ben, Tom, and Kate. Peter also leaves behind his brother Roger (Leah) of Belleville, as well as Scott (Nancy), Craig (Ji-Yoon), Stacey (Andrew), and many, many dear friends too numerous to name. He was predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Constance Johnson, his sister Judith, and his parents-in-law David and Jean Greer, who, along with Sue’s brothers Don and Rob, always had a home with Peter and Sue.

Peter enjoyed a long career as a telecommunications manager, primarily with Bell Canada, where he oversaw the country’s long-distance phone networks and built lifelong friendships along the way. Peter was a car guy, a member of the Georgian Bay British Car Club, and always had at least one automotive project on the go in his shop, and another rebuilt MG or Austin Healey for him and Sue to drive around to visit friends.

To know Peter was to be his friend, and to be his friend meant having an endless source of advice, laughter, tools, opinions, ribbing, and whiskey. His garage was the central hub for so many, with a steady stream of friends always coming and going. Peter could fix anything, had the right tool for every job, and thrived on helping others — always with the added bonus of a good chat and visit. As one of his many dear friends put it: “He was more than a friend: he was the glue, the energy, the spirit of our circle.”

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at the Barrie Country Club on Wednesday, May 14th, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., with tributes beginning at 2:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Heart and Stroke foundation would be appreciated