JOHNSTON, David
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of David Wallace Johnston on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. He died suddenly at home in the arms of his wife of 44 years, Sandra Lynn Gray Johnston. Beloved father of two, Ashley Kerr (Jason) and Daniel Johnston (Christie), grandfather of seven, Vienna Kerr (13), Rhonan Kerr (11), Mollie Kerr (9), Jack Johnston (11), Avery Johnston (9), Grayson Nimmo (12), and Colton Nimmo (9), and uncle to numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. Loved nephew of Ruth Poole of Woods Bay.
David, known as Dave by family and friends, was born in Toronto on April 26, 1950 to Stewart and Francis (Redden) Johnston. He would be the middle child of the family, between the older Susan Shipman (née Johnston) and the younger Francis Johnston. He spent his childhood in and around the Toronto and Alliston areas. He spoke little of his school years, though he recalled a science presentation he gave on woodpeckers that he did with chagrin and laughter. He spoke fondly of several foster homes he spent time in following the passing of his mother in 1956.
Dave spent most of his working life at Global Finishing Solutions, formerly DeVilbiss, in Barrie where he worked his way through several departments, including crating and lighting, to become head of receiving. He excelled at driving forklifts and won several competitions in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
It was at DeVilbiss that he met his wife Sandra. Their young romance was filled with time at the roller rink where they enjoyed ballroom dancing on roller skates. “Dave was an incredible dancer on those roller skates,” recalls Sandra.
Dave and Sandra were married on February 28, 1981, holding the reception in their brand new house in Shanty Bay. They spent a year as newlyweds before welcoming Dave’s father Stewart to spend his final years with them.
Dave’s biggest ambition in life was to be a family man. The beginning of the fulfillment of this lifelong adventure began in 1984 with the arrival of his daughter Ashley and continued in 1985 with the birth of his son Daniel.
After years of dreaming, Dave and his family moved to the outskirts of Midhurst in 1989 to build their own home. This venture began another lifelong project as he and the family worked to make his dream a reality. Dave was a skilled amature carpenter, plumber, electrician, and general jack-of-all-trades. He generously shared his knowledge with others and the children would have tiny hammers and measuring tapes to ‘help’ before they even started school. Daniel aptly said, “I look around this house and can’t help but think that he touched every board, every brick, and every nail. Not many people can say that.”
Dave was a devoted husband. Sandra often had ‘hairbrained schemes’ and projects for the house which he willingly (if grumbling) went along with, providing support and hands-on assistance to make her dreams become a reality. He was a homebody and loved returning home to Sandra at the end of the day. They spent weekends sharing yard work, bonfires, and day trips on their motorcycles. When Sandra was in a motorcycle accident he said, “She’s going to live, she has to because I don’t know how to do anything without her.”
He was also a loving father. As his children grew, he taught them practical life skills, from building, to driving, to vehicle maintenance, striving to ensure that they would be able to be as self-sufficient as he was. When Ashley and Daniel were grown, he was always at the other end of the phone, ready to come to their aid no matter where life had taken them. He was ready with a truck and trailer for moves, a carload of tools for repairs, or advice starting with the words, “Well, what you need to do is…”. Ashley recalls, “He never missed a concert, a big event, a move, a home reno, or holding a new grandchild in his arms.”
As the years went by his family grew. Ashley wed Jason Kerr and Dave would proudly brag of Jason’s military service. The couple would give him his first grandchild, Vienna, followed by Rhonan and Mollie. Daniel’s first marriage brought Dave two more grandchildren, Jack and Avery, the same years that Rhonan and Mollie were born. His family was exploding!
Dave loved being a grandfather – his family joked that he had always been an old man so it suited him well. This was a good thing as his collection of grandchildren would grow to number 7 by 2020. When Dan met Christie Nimmo that year she brought with her two more grandchildren, Grayson and Colton, who were the same ages as his younger four.
He ‘adopted’ Ian Burbidge as his brother and shared with him his lifetime of mechanical and construction knowledge. Ian said, “Dave taught me all the things my dad never had the chance to teach me before he died.” Ian’s wife Kim called on Dave many times to help with problems around the house or property when Ian wasn’t available or she saw he could use Dave’s assistance.
In 2005 with the closure of Global Finishing Solutions, Dave got his DZ licence. He began driving school buses for Landmark in 2008. He truly found his calling transporting students to and from school. He spoke of them with pride and always had a touch of sadness when kids he had known for years graduated. His last run was June 27th this year and he gave out his traditional freezies to welcome the summer for everyone.
Dave and Sandy enjoyed his semi-retired time together travelling. They visited the east coast and the north western states in their trailer. They also fulfilled a lifelong dream of taking an Alaskan cruise in 2023.
Dave’s hallmark trait was his presence – those who love him all say that he was always there. He was there with advice and with knowledge. He was there to lend a hand and teach. He was there when he was asked and when he wasn’t but felt that he should be. Dave was a quiet, steady presence in the lives of those who knew him and he will be missed.
Dave’s lifelong wish to be a family man was fulfilled. He leaves behind a legacy of love, presence, and care that lives on in his wife, children, and grandchildren who he dearly loved.
Private family arrangements have been entrusted to the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in David’s memory would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com