It is with great sadness that we express the loss of Denny Johnston who passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family in Barbados on February 11, 2018 at the age of 83. Denny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
Born in Middleton, Nova Scotia in 1934, he was the son of Dennis and Mamie Johnston and brother of the late Greta Simpson and Verna Johnston. Denny began his career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1958 when he graduated from Dalhousie University Medical School. He worked for a year in general practice before embarking on an 8 month trip to Europe with his good friend, the late Dr. Kevin Tompkins. He returned to marry Lalia, who he had met previously at Dalhousie, and then they set off for two of his fellowships in England and Philadelphia. He then came home to open his practice in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 1964 where he spent his career between his office, The Grace Maternity Hospital, the Victoria General Hospital, Camp Hill Hospital, Stadacona Naval Base, the Halifax Infirmary and the Dartmouth General Hospital where he was Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1975-2000. It is estimated that Denny delivered over 7,000 babies throughout his career.
He was passionate about teaching sexual education both at Dalhousie Medical School and to the public on his cable TV program, Let’s Talk About Sex. He was an Associate Professor at Dalhousie Medical School and passed on much of his knowledge to residents over the years. He was also passionate about keeping his Phi Ro fraternity colleagues and medical school classmates in touch and was the president of the medical alumni from 1991-92.
Denny and Laila loved to travel and did so to the end. He pursued his lifelong love of music, singing in various choirs travelling to Europe and twice to Carnegie Hall to perform. Denny loved to dance and he tap danced into his 70’s. He loved life, lived it to its fullest and was known for his sense of humor and endless jokes. Denny had his own signature kindness and generosity that everyone loved. He could be a little bossy at times and loved to be in control, but those qualities were a part of his DNA that made him who he was. He always said “I’m a depression baby, get used to it!” He was an amazing cook, a world-traveling foodie and wine connoisseur. He also wasn’t shy to get into a spirited political debate with Margaret Thatcher while he and Lalia were invited guests to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, what a character! Denny was relentless at tracking his family’s history and spent a lot of time connecting with relatives near and far, traveling to various cemeteries to locate relatives’ graves in Nova Scotia and as far away as Europe.
Denny was fiercely loyal to his family and friends alike. He nurtured and diligently kept in touch with all of his friends around the world. He was proud and organized and took many leadership roles such as a recent reunion of his kindergarten class, and in a book club to keep busy after his retirement which he loved. His generosity was uncanny. Denny made many donations to food shelters and the homeless, and every year since 1990 he has presented the “The Mamie and Dennis Johnston Memorial Scholarship” to a student from the Middleton high school to assist in their post-secondary education, which will be continued by his children. He went to every nurse’s and doctor’s funerals he knew and worked with. No matter what the conditions were, he always had a joke to tell.
As a father, his children could not have had a better mentor. Denny was practical and down to earth but at the same time very sophisticated. He showed his children a wide range of experiences from their humble roots to the wonders of the world. Most of his kids’ friends considered Denny a pal and a confidant, a truly unique guy.
Denny was Lalia’s full time caregiver for several years and up until his last day he was giving directions (some would say orders!) on how to care for her. His devotion to Lalia and how he took on her illness as if it were a part of his own condition was admirable. They were fearless together as they conquered the world and had so many great experiences and successes together. Denny and Lalia were the epitome of true love, sharing a strong and dedicated bond, true soul-mates and an inspiration to us all. His absence will be deeply felt by so many across the globe.
Denny will be sincerely missed by his wife of 57 years, Lalia, sons Dennis and Stephen and his daughter Susan, daughters in law Monica and Rebecca, grandchildren Jack, Scott, Spencer and Austin, and step granddaughter Melanie, her husband Travis and their children Liam and Aidan. If you wish, donations may be made to The Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a cause that Denny believed in and helped with, their donation link is https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/13580.