LES JOHNSON

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LES JOHNSON

Les Johnson - a proud Freeman of the City, multi-time Volunteer 0f the Year and tireless champion of community life in the city of Grand Forks, BC passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, with his wife Lorraine and daughter Christine by his side. He leaves behind a legacy of woven creativity, compassion and unshakeable dedication to the people and stories of Grand Forks.

Les is lovingly remembered by his wife Lorraine, daughters, Lexie and Christine, sons, Matthew (Andrea), Roy (Micah), brother Darrell, sister Leona (Joe), niece Sarah, nephew Andrew (Nicole) and his cherished grandchildren, Cora, Stella, Ryley and Kailyn each of whom he spoke about with that "Les style" pride and eyes that sparkled when he shared their stories. He also leaves behind countless family and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife Laurel as well as his brother Howard and parents, Ranghild and Edwin.

Leslie was an inquisitive child. His first job was that of a paper boy for the Winnipeg Tribune. While there he was selected as one of the children to attend the New York World Fair, what an amazing opportunity for him with his curiosity and imagination. He loved reading especially science fiction and history. He excelled in school and sports, while in High School he was a top Gymnast in Manitoba. His plan was to become a Phys Ed Teacher however it was the Hippie Generation and halfway through grade 12 he quit school. He was very socially conscious and became involved with the Manitoba Association for World Development. This took him to Saint Lucia for six months where he lived on the beach in a straw hut, helping the locals with building as well as other needs. Upon his return to Winnipeg there was a three day fast held inside the Manitoba Legislative Buildng. After the fast all the families were invited for a Potluck at the Legislative.

Les loved biking and with the help of our Mom bought a beautiful purple Peugeot Bicycle which he rode everywhere including Birds Hill, Grand Beach and his longest ride to BC. While on route there, he had to stop on the side of the highway as there was a torrential rainstorm, a kind RCMP Officer picked him up taking him to his final destination.

Les loved computers, even built one with parts he picked up at Radio Shack long before they were available in homes and most businesses. He eventually went back to school taking the Computer Technology course at Red River College. Working in the field for a while he eventually was part of a startup company called Gray Research, his title "Magician". This took him to throughout Europe. The company eventually folded and he found himself at the Winnipeg Sun.

Les married his sweetheart Laurel. They lived here in Winnipeg, then Matlock for a time then decided that there would be more opportunities for them in BC, Les with computers, Laurel was an Educator so family in tow they made their way to the West Coast. After some time there, Laurel was offered a position which brought them to Grand Forks, BC and there they set down roots. Sadly, their dream would not last. A knock at the door one evening was the RCMP, there to inform Les that his wife was in an accident and she would not be coming home. Ironically Leslie was the same age as our Mom when she received a knock at the door from the OPP telling her, "your husband, our Dad was not coming home". Leslie was devasted and we were sure he would come back home to Winnipeg after this however we were wrong, the roots in Grand Forks had already taken in friendship and community. Leslie would also find love again, her name Lorraine.

To know Les was to be drawn into his orbit of curiosity, kindness and boundless energy. A beloved figure around Grand Forks he was the kind of man that made every room brighter and every event more memorable. He started the What's Up in Grand Forks and co-founded GFTV as well as being a dedicated member of the Writer's Guild and the Boundary Historical Society, Les documented the life of the city with a camera in hand and a purpose in his heart. From City council meetings and the Border Bruin games to the Grand Forks International and quiet community gatherings, Les captured it all - one frame, one story, one heartbeat at a time.

In conversation, Les had a way of pulling you in. He'd start with his signature line, "Well here's the thing..." and that's when you really began to listen. Known for his sharp logic, deep empathy and never-ending creativity, he could inspire, console and challenge all in the same breath. He liked to call himself a round peg in a square hole and maybe he was, but that's exactly what made him irreplaceable. His character was limitless having touched many lives with his authenticity, humour and desire to make the world just a little bit better today than it was yesterday.

He often signed off with a warm, philosophical "C'est la vie" - a reminder that he embraced life in all its messy, magical wonder and, embrace he did, leaving behind a community more connected, more thoughtful and more beautifully documented than he found it.

Les will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy lives on in hours of footage, hundreds of photographs and countless memories shared across kitchen tables, park benches and online archives. He left this world the same way he lived it, full of passion, ideas and a slightly suspicious number of wires and gadgets in his bag!

We would like to thank the staff at the Grand Forks, Trail and Vancouver Hospitals for their compassion and care of our brother, surprisingly he was even happy with his meals. Kenny Di Cosmo, Les' oldest and dearest friend who is like family thank you for a lifetime of friendship and your visits as we know how important and meaningful the time you shared meant to him. To his son Matt who was able to make a trip to visit him earlier this year, he boasted about the time you had together as well as your dietary tips. To his friends and community of Grand Forks, thank you for opening your hearts, your lives to our brother Leslie. He truly loved and embraced his life there and in his heart it was home. To Lorraine and Christine, thank you for your constant love and support of our brother and for being there till he passed. Not being there is something we have to live with but knowing he wasn't alone gives us solace. Lorraine, Leslie adored and loved you and you were an amazing partner, supporting him in all his endeavours no matter what they may have been. He was able to live his best life with you by his side and although his life was cut short the life he had lived was full.

A celebration of Les' life will be held in Grand Forks, BC on his birthday July 17, 2025. Here's to Les Johnson; a man with a heart of gold, a mind like a supercomputer and a soul forever tuned into the rythym of his community.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask to place a donation in his memory with Liver Canada at www.liver.ca or 1.800.563.5483.

Leslie, I know you're out there somewhere, if you can "call home"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2025