Al Johnson was born on Bible Hill, Nova Scotia in 1933. Despite the promising home town name, pretty much from the start he leaned more Nova Scotia forests than Bible. Returning successfully from an early hunting trip, he was indignant his family gave him trouble for being late to church with a dirty shirt, so he hit the road.
And travel he did. He remembers 54 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. As they don’t grow anything fermentable that far south, he didn’t think it worth the trouble. And in all those 54 countries, he told stories and had a drink with someone. Yes, he even managed to get a drink in the Islamic Republic of Iran and to share some stories with the people there, which gives you a good measure of the man. The stock market, hunting, and fishing were his main themes, but he had a depth and breadth of topics that demanded the stories always stray from the original narrative to cover multiple topics. Sometimes he told the same story more than once and occasionally he might even finish the story he started, but he would always tell you a good story!
Always moving, he claimed to work for CN Rail, the Quebec, North Shore and Labrador Railroad and various plumbing and heating outfits, but generally found them to get in the way of more important things like hunting, fishing and traveling the world.
Al moved to Kamloops in 1961, where the CN finally gave in and gave him a decent amount of time to explore the world. Along the way, he found time to marry an Australian named Claire, have a son named Dave, a daughter-in-law named Leah and a granddaughter named Claire. It is possible he spoiled the granddaughter on occasion. They are going to miss him, because even when they thought they had heard all the stories, he would find something new to share with them.
He claimed to be a Poor Old Pensioner once he retired, but between gold panning, mountain biking, skiing, looking at elephants in Zimbabwe, fishing, hunting, drinking red wine, going to Carnival in Rio, and arguing with friends about the stock market, he lived a rich life. On December 8, 2018 he was doing moose calls with his friends and on December 9, he passed away in his sleep.
Al didn’t have much time for funerals or flowers. So, to remember him, the family asks that you go and buy a cheap bottle of red wine and go share it with your favorite grumpy old man. Don’t worry about the truth content of his stories, just enjoy sharing them with him.
19 Tributes
We loved Al’s sense of humour, his intellect, and his interest in everyone. We wish we had had the opportunity to know him better.
Our sincere condolences to Claire who we’ve heard did a wonderful job of caring for Al.
Claire and family
We are sorry to hear of Al’s passing. It was always fun to work with, golf or just chat with him. Loved his stories. A one of a kind man.
Rick & Elaine Berry
Our sympathy to Claire, David, Leah and Claire. If any man lived a full life, it was Al! Living next door for 7 years, we would hear Al loading up his truck with boat to go fishing……or in the winter, ice fishing. Of course, the produce from his community garden which he tended in the summer! (And you, Claire, putting it all up!). The two of you never ceased to amaze us! Sending love and hugs, Sheri and John
We missed you when you left the neighbourhood,but we all carry fond memories of the wine you made and the stories you told and your wacky sense of humour. Claire our hearts go out to you and David (and family)for your loss and for the sheer force of energy that was Al.
Clint and Judy in New Zealand enjoyed the company of Al and Claire in their home in Whangarei and also in Canada when Al took Clint hunting and they later sampled Al’s home made moose mince and red wine. This is one of Clint’s most treasured memories.
We will definitely get a bottle of red wine and share it with dear friends in memory of Al.
Our love goes to Claire, David, Leah and Claire
Dear Claire and family. Please accept my sincere condolences. Both Al and Claire enriched my visitor experiences to Kamloops on more than one occasion! As a fellow Nova Scotian, Al and I had great fun exchanging stories about Bible Hill and Truro area.
The red wine will be on the menu!
Love to all at this time.
Annette St-Onge
Claire, Dave and family
Sincere condolences to all of you.
Vicki F.
Dear Dave and entire family. Kindly accept my sincere condolences. Your dad lived a full life indeed. Pass my condolences to Claire, Leah and Claire.
Dear Dave and family. Please accept our sincere condolences for the lose of your father. Pass our condolences to Leah, Claire and Claire.
My thoughts are with you!
To the family, my sincerest condolences on the loss of Uncle Al! How I wished we lived closer so we could visit more often. Uncle Al was a gem, he told the best stories, had the best sense of humour and had the biggest smile. Sending love and prayers to you Aunt Claire, Dave and family. Remember all the good times and countless memories you all shared. He will be missed. Lots of Love
While we didn’t have the opportunity to meet your dad, Dave, u can only imagine what an intrepid and wonderful man he was. All you need to do is look at his son and his family. Wishing you all the strength and joy in celebrating his Life during this holiday season. With love Pindie and David
It must be true that Al was a great person. This I know is true because David & Clare are amazing, giving people. My most sincere condolences to the family and the friends that will truly miss Al.
To Claire, David, and Family- I had the pleasure of hearing many of Al’s stories over the years that he came to the lab, but I think the stories he told me the most were about how much he loved his family. How lucky he was to have his wife, how proud he was of his son, and how much he loved his daughter in law and grand daughter. The person who wrote the obituarydid a wonderful job of capturing Al’s sense of humor and spirit. It was nice to see that his family obviously treasured him as much as he treasured you. I will miss him.
The tribute herein written is true to the man. Yes he was a wonderful person who never missed a story every second, minute, hour, day to tell. Laughter always engulfed his presence. You were duly entertained while in his presence. I am breaking all my dieting rules, headed to the wine store for two bottles of wine.
Thinking of you.
Dear Dave, Leah, Claire and little Claire, we are so sorry for the passing of your dad/husband. Clearly a legendary storyteller who we sadly only met once. We are certain that his stories will be retold for years to come. Thinking of you all and missing you very much.
Lots of love,
Wakanyi, Chris and the Hoffman quartet
Claire, David, Leah and Claire; My heart was very sad to read of Al’s passing and then the joy for having met him, shared stories, of course, and we went fishing together a couple of times. I too loved the obituary, it captured the spirit of the man I knew for a short time.All the best to you.
Barry & Kathy #20 @ the garden
I believe every word about what is written here. He was quite a story teller and never lacked a new story every moment, every second. I am headed for the store to buy four bottles. Kudos to Al
Priscilla Muchinyi