September 18, 1948 - September 11, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a devoted husband and father, Michael Johnson, RPF. After graduating from Shawnigan Lake School in 1966, Michael studied forestry at UVIC. While playing badminton with friends, Michael met Kathleen. Michael married the love of his life on September 15, 1973 in the Brentwood Bay Chapel.
After a camping adventure honeymoon in Banff, Michael found forestry work with Crown Zellerbach. They moved to Lake Cowichan, staying at the Castaways Motel, and then into the Nitinat logging camp on Kissinger Lake. It was here at the camp that daughters were born to the family, Rebecca and Valerie. The isolation and beauty of Kissinger Lake agreed with Michael's adventurous spirit. An avid outdoorsman, Michael showed his young wife and daughters how to enjoy the outdoors through many hunting, fishing and backpacking trips. When the camp on Kissinger lake was shut down in 1980, Michael stayed until the end to plant all the trees where the camp houses once were.
A forest grows now at the Mosaic campground, with no sign of the old logging camp. Michael was transferred through his forestry work to Crown Forest at Nanaimo Lakes, then to Timber West in Port McNeiil, Bella Coola, Haida Gwaii and finally to Honey Moon Bay.
He brought his family with him to all these beautiful places. Packing an old green Ford F350 full to the brim with the washer and dryer, dog house and cat house and all the belongings for each move. In 1988, Michael brought his family to live in Vancouver while he attended UBC to get his Registered Professional Forester designation.
A true Queen's Scout, Michael was a friend to everyone he met and would never hesitate to lend a helping hand to whomever needed it.
Michael will be dearly missed by his wife, daughters, son-in-laws, Kevin and Patrick and his grandsons, Braeden and Griffin. His ashes will be scattered near Kissinger Lake, where he can forever explore the hills and fish in the lakes. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" Psalms 37:23.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the SPCA.