Murray passed away peacefully at the Queensway Carleton Hospital at the age of 87. Murray leaves behind his beloved wife Joan (Aitchison) of 63 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Janice Tarling (Kent Tarling) and Jenny Janes and his grandchildren; Pte. Jamie Tarling, Kameron Tarling, Kaitlin Janes and Grace Janes. Dear son of the late Edgar and Annie Evelyn Johnston and brother of the late Pal Johnston, he is survived by his brother Dr. Laurence Johnston in Vancouver. Murray will be remembered by his sister-in-law Mary Johnston and nieces and nephews: Catherine, Gordon, Ross, Mandy, Megan, Sara and their families.
Murray was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1933. A graduate of Royal Roads/Royal Military College of Canada (1956) and of the Canadian Army Staff College (1967). Murray was a Registered Professional Engineer and held a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering from the University of Michigan. He served as a Regular Force officer, RCEME from 1952 to 1983. From 1983 to 1991 he was the Director of the National Emergency Agency for Energy in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, as well as the Canadian Representative to the NATO Petroleum Planning Committee. Appointed EME Colonel Commandant in 1991, he held the appointment for 13 years until May 15, 2004.
His postings included: Director Support Vehicles Engineering and Maintenance (NDHQ), Director of Program Plans and Team Leader in the DEVIL Maintenance System Working Group, Commanding Officer 202 Workshop Depot, the Region Commander in the Mekong Delta with the International Commission for Control and Supervision (Vietnam 1973), Senior Staff Officer Maintenance within Headquarters Mobile Command, Ottawa Militia District as GSO1, 4 Field Workshop(RCEME) in Germany as Recovery Platoon Officer and 2IC, test engineer on the Bobcat and M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carriers with the Land Engineering Test Establishment, Commanding Officer 2 RCHA Light Aid Detachment, and the Control Officer within 213 Workshop (RCEME) in Winnipeg.
Murray was a Past-President of the Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada, the Friends of the Canadian War Museum, and the EME Association and was a former Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Defence Associations. From 1997 to 2008 he was a Director of the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa. Also, he was a member of Branch 616 of the Royal Canadian Legion, a volunteer guide at the Canadian War Museum, President of the RCEME Association, and the EME Branch Historian. He researched and wrote two books on the RCEME history: Canada’s Craftsman - The story of Corps of RCEME and the LORE branch and Canada’s Craftsmen at 50 - story of the EME Branch up to the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Corps of RCEME. He was also the driving force behind the creation of the EME Honour Roll (now the RCEME Book of Remembrance) which documents the grave sites of all the RCEME personnel killed in the line of duty.
In 2002 he was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medallion, a recommendation of the Royal Canadian Legion for his work on behalf of veterans and remembrance. In 2003, at the request of the EME soldiers in Bosnia, he was awarded a NATO SFOR medal in recognition of his 10 trips to the Balkans, including Croatia, Kosovo and Bosnia to visit them. On October 25, 2004, the Governor General awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal in the military division. In 2005 at the age of 72, he completed for the fifth time the grueling four-day 160 kilometer Nijmegen Marches as part of the Canadian Military Contingent. Murray received the Order of St. George (one of his most prized commendations) in 2015. In 2019, Murray was nominated as a Leader and Trailblazer of the RCEME Corps for his significant commitment and contributions. His plaque is in the RCEME Museum, Kingston, Ontario.
In his much deserved retirement years Murray loved to travel the world with Joan, garden, read and spend time with family and friends. We wish you peace Dad and know that you are loved!
Murray will be laid to rest with Military Honours at the National Military Cemetery, located at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions funeral guests will be strictly limited. We wish to invite friends and family to view the service by means of livestream, on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.. Please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0E84fWwkQ8uVs7nybKNoug to pre-register. Please note the interment will also be live streamed with the link posted here 90 minutes prior to the start of the interment held on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated in Murray’s memory to the RCEME Museum, Kingston, Ontario or the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.
Digital Guestbook
Tony Soulis
Craig, Elaine and Deanna Barker
We are so grateful to have met Murray/ Janice’s dad at the Canadian War Museum. He gave us a tour and went the extra mile by showing us a replica of the truck that our beloved Pa had served in as a soldier in WWII. The tour ended up being such a lovely visit with lunch on the patio. We could have chatted all day with this kind & knowledgeable man! It was surely one of the highlights of our trip to Ottawa. Our condolences to Janice and all your family. Especially to Kameron and Jamie whom we know are proud & blessed to have known him as their grandfather.. Tomorrow, may you celebrate the wonderful life and legacy he has left behind. Peace be with you all, love ~The Barkers~
Col (Retd) Tom Temple
Col Murray Johnston was the Col Commandant for the formative years of my time in RCEME. From the first time I met him, I was astonished by his candour and passion for our Corps, our soldiers and our history. His visits were always eventful, spirited and informative, and there was no limit the troops would not go to, to make his visit enjoyable for him. He was there for them, and they were there for him as well.
Col Johnston’s legacy will continue in the hearts and minds of the members of Corps that he loved. And while most remember him as the Col Commandant and his greatest achievements occurred in that time, he never stopped serving the Corps. Our history was documented because of him. Our fallen soldiers are recognized because of him. And while he may not have been part of the core team for our museum, more often than not, we got it right because of him.
He poured his heart and his soul into our Corps and we were part of his closest family. May he be forever remembered. Arte et Marte.
MWO Marcel H Ouellette
May you Rest in Peace Commandant Your light will shine for ever.
CWO Ret'd Spud Howatt
Murray was the ultimate example of what an Officer and Gentleman should be. His devotion to service family and the Corps was second to none. Arte Et Marte!
CWO Jeffrey Saunders
To the family,
To say tha Col Johnston was an inspiration to countless RCEME soldier technicians would be an understatement. He never seemed to forget a soldier he previously met. This loss to you and the greater RCEME family may seem profound, and it undoubtedly is, but take comfort in knowing his passing, by a wide margin is eclipsed by his unmatched legacy in promoting and improving the lives of those who serve the nation as Canada's Craftsmen. Arte et Marte
Major (retd) Eric Sheikh
Dear Colonel Johnston, we have met so many times in the past, as you past SO, hearing your stories of you praising and supporting so many soldiers in the Corps. You have touched so many with your knowledge, energy and experience. The time has come to return the favor and live your legacy. Time to rejoice all the great things about you know. I stand to attention and salute you and your family for supporting so many. You are a true Canadian and soldier. God Bless you and your family.
Paul and Margaret Manson
With our sincere condolences to Joan and the family
cwo ret Martial Gauthier
Condolences to the family and the Core, we lost a super man.
RIP Murray it was an honor knowing you.
Arte et Marte.
Capt (Ret'd) Jeff Knight
So many great memories of Col. Johnston. He was a mentor, a confidant, an inspiration, and a true friend to all. He embodied the spirit of "Esprit de Corps" within the RCEME Corps and showed us what it meant to be a "RCEME Family". He loved his troops, and they loved him. He was a leader! I am sad that he has been taken from us, but I can assure you I am a better soldier, technician, officer and person for having known him. You will be missed Sir, but never forgotten. Go in peace knowing that your beloved RCEME Corps will continue forward in your memory, stronger, because of you. Arte et Marte.
I first got to know Murray as a young Captain and our paths crossed at the RCEME School, 202 BW, and at 4 Fld. Wksp.
Always smiling and engaging, Murray certainly left his mark on all of us who came to know him, or, who served under his leadership. My fondest memories of Murray were those associated with field maneuvers in West Germany (Soltau, Sennelager) and the many "Bug Outs" during my time at 4 CIBG. My last conversations with Murray were at the two-day 75th RCEME Anniversary celebrations at Borden. At that time, he still demonstrated the great enthusiasm, vision, and love that he held for the Corps. RIP RCEME Col/Cmdt. Arte et Marte