Ted passed away peacefully on April 15, 2019 at the age of 80. Survived by his wife of 53 years, Jennifer, daughters Alexandra (Keith Bourque), Catherine, Caroline, grandchildren Rebecca, Dean, Caroline and Marianne. Also survived by siblings Keith and Elizabeth, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario to Fred & Helen Johnston, Ted graduated from McMaster University (Social Sciences ’61) and was a career diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1966-1998 with postings in Washington, D.C., Dar-es-Salaam, San Francisco and Warsaw. Diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 1995 he persevered through all treatments with strength and positivity. From 2005-08 he served as the President of the Prostate Cancer Association of Ottawa working to establish the Do It For Dad Father’s Day Walk and Run. A lifelong supporter of the arts, he returned to printmaking in retirement, exhibiting in the Ottawa area. Thank you to Dr. Malone, Dr. Canil and their staff, Community Care Access Centres, Carefor and Bruyere Group, as well as St-Vincent Hospital (2-South) where many wonderful nurses and staff cared for him so well and kept us buoyed over the last 18 months. A memorial will be held at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa on May 13th at 11 a.m. with reception and burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the local Prostate Cancer Canada Network, local/national arts groups or Bruyere Foundation are appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Kurt Jensen
Gillian Kerr
Ted was kind and funny. What a reassuring presence he was when our family first arrived in Dar es Salaam! Dinners and outings with our two families brought such comfort and Canadian normalcy to our far-flung lives. We were so grateful. He enjoyed people and the adventures of life, and he was full of laughter. A wonderful spirit! Love to all the family.
I worked with Ted at External Affairs. He was a thoroughly kind and honourable man, respected by all.