Paul Johnson

Our deepest condolences on the passing of our dear Cousin
Paul.
Many fond memories of the Cousins arriving in a large station wagon at Central Drive. We were five and they were
eight so much trouble was accomplished during the visits.
LOL.
Our Mother’s were BFF’s and spent many an hour on the phone discussing General Hospital.
They say that our Cousins are our first friends which I believe is true. Paul was one of the great ones. 🥰🙏💐

My Uncle Paul was an amazing guy. He taught me the principle of providing for your children the necessary basics and teaching them how to work to get the “wants”in life. He made me laugh and it was a joy to sing a duet with him at one of his Hawkstone Singers concerts❤️I still have two raku lamps that he gave me for my wedding 30 years ago and some of our favourite coffee mugs are stamped with his name!
You were a blessing to many, Uncle Paul❤️

Forever my brother who watched out for me and taught me the lessons of a well lived life..we shared so much…he was my touchstone and spirit guide throughout my 67 yrs as his sister…never forgotten, always cherished…until we meet again sweet prince

Christine, Colin, Tara, Jared and Families,
Terry & I have kept each of you in our Prayers.
Paul, as shared, enjoyed a conversation. We always enjoyed the times we met up.
He brought life to the songs he sang.
Sending each of you a Virtual Hug & strength to venture forward with Paul in your Hearts.

Paul was the most energetic, hardworking, and very proud man. He loved his family dearly and took great joy sharing time with his many life-long friends and extended family. He would talk and talk about everything and everything, as Christine has said. Music was often a favoured topic of his and he would break into song at least once or twice if memory serves. He was a mentor to me in my early years, giving me his trust to help him make his pottery, and to download his many pearls of wisdom of everything and anything. He taught me very valuable salesmanship skills as he was a master of selling people on the concept of keeping the craft alive by bringing it into their homes to enjoy its aesthetics and functionality. Thank you Paul, for giving me many happy memories of my time spent with you and for your trust and support to go forth and live life, well prepared!

Rest in Peace Paul.

Christine, Colin and Kim, Tara and Nate, Jared and Jenni,

We are so sorry to hear about Paul’s passing. I have a lifetime of fond memories of Paul. His pranks and jokes were my favourite. I had the pleasure of watching him in his studio create the most beautiful pieces of pottery! I loved when I would come for sleepovers and Tara and I were allowed to go into the studio to get messy and create. I will forever be in awe of the way he used the pottery wheel!
Paul was a spunky, caring, always interested in what was new with me, he had the heart of gold and it shows in his three amazing children.
Thank you for all the memories Paul.
Much love,
Meghan Lavender

“Then I went down to the potters house and there he was, making something on the wheel” Jeremiah 18:3.

My brother Paul will be terribly missed. I will especially miss his yearly call on Dday wishing me a happy birthday! He was a very practical person with a lot of good sense. He loved his beautiful wife and children dearly and was a great example of a family man. Paul was also very kind and could sense if one needed a word of encouragement. He told me recently joining the army reserves for two years in his teens was the making of him. My husband and I, and our church family and friends prayed for him regularly for his healing and spiritual needs. The greatest transition in this life will always be the one where we go into eternity. I’m so glad I danced with him at Jared and Jenni’s wedding! I’m so glad we went up from time to time to the studio where he would never allow me to pay for his work! i’s so glad I called him from California and talked about our parents, etc. I remember his visits to our mother were the highlights of her life. Very socially conscious I’ll never forget the youth drug drop in centre he ran for a season in Burlington in the 70’s called Let It Bleed or the Vietnam draft dodgers from the USA that boarded in his home. Paul took up the heaviest responsibilities he could and carried them. He was all about people taking responsibilty for themselves and their own. Thankyou for the examples Paul. Thankyou Christine for being such a great wife and loving my brother. Now gone into eternity to meet the greatest Potter and Creator of us all.

“But now Oh Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hands” Isaiah 64:8

Dear Chris, Colin, Tara, Jared and families…we are thinking of you! I will always remember lots of great summer holiday trips to Lake Huron with you and Uncle Paul. Whether it was swimming in the lake, campfires on the beach, sanding the deck and table, or of course making pottery with clay from the gully, Paul always knew what to do and enjoyed helping us do it! I also still have this memory of playing Trivial Pursuit with Paul at the cottage. I don’t know how old I was but was likely pretty young. I still remember asking him “What is the capital of Iceland?” and thinking: great, he’ll never get that one! Well to Paul that was easy, “Ha! It’s Reykjavik!” he said. I remember thinking in awe-how did he know that??!! Knowing Paul, that was likely a game that he excelled at!
Here is a photo of Dad and Uncle Paul sharing a good laugh, and no doubt lots of talk!
Brian and Kristy, Calgary.

What a beautiful notice for Paul, Chris. Pain is now gone. I treasure every piece of Paul’s pottery that I am lucky to have. Take care. My love to you all.

I had the pleasure of working with paul for the past 4 months every day Monday to Friday. He was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met and he touched my life in many ways. Between joking around and making light of things to singing in the kitchen with him, praying with him in hard times …. he’s so very very missed. My sincerest condolences to the family. Rest In Peace sweet paul 🌹

My dear kind, loving brother Paul. We shared almost the same birthday, he was February 25, I am the 26th of February. He loved to tell the story of how he remembers our Mother baking his birthday cake and she went into labor with me.! Paul and I are 9 years apart but he was my kindred spirit. Paul “wore many hats” in our family: Paul walked me down the aisle on my wedding , was my mentor and friend, I will always love you dear heart, you are forever in my heart and prayers, God speed and may perpetual light shine on you…… Jennifer & Angelo Nasso

I only met Paul very briefly through singing practice, while he was under treatment. I am impressed by his positive attitude towards life and death. He has his special way to positively influence people around him, even with a brief encounter. He will be remembered!

From that first year at university, Paul and I shared a bond that lasted a lifetime. We were friends immediately and shared so many experiences, music and of course, endless far reaching conversations. There was always that wonderful smile, that laugh and the willingness to engage in a positive manner. Paul touched so many people and I feel that positivity will be his lasting legacy Holding you in my heart, brother.

Condolences are expressed to Paul’s wife and his family and many friends. As a former teacher in the Ceramic Department of Georgian college, I first encountered the many wonderful aspects of Paul’s creativity and his love of life and friendship. I often encountered him at Doug Dunford’s open house events where we managed to update one another as to what was happening in our respective lives. His ashes are where they should be – in one of his ceramic creations. Will miss you Paul. Ann

I met Paul for such a short time, yet he left a big impression in my heart. He was a gentle, kind, brave man, who very obviously loved his family and had figured out what was important in life. My sympathies to his entire family, especially Christine and his children. I will be forever grateful for the chance to meet and talk with Paul. I learn a little from every person I meet and work with, and that
was so very true with Paul. He was full of valuable life lessons and I will remember our talks fondly. He will be missed by so many.

Christine, our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Paul will be truly missed, he brought posivity to wherever he went or did. Fond memories of pottery lessons with the girls and myself, choir, school meetings as a fellow parent, neighbours, the list and memories go on, he was always ready for a chat or visit. Sending you guys a virtual hug and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

My dearest brother from the first day mom brought you home from the hospital I have loved you dearly. As you continued to grow, and grow (after finally getting on the right formula and getting chunky) we all knew you would grow to be a man of great determination and of great strength. Goodbye my beloved Porky….

I will miss your sweet tenor tunes, my dear friend Paul. Whether rehearsing at Tenor Tuesdays or leaning on you at Hawkestone Singer’s performances, your sunny personality always made me laugh. You will surely be singing with those angels!

My deepest condolences go out to Christine, Tara and the whole Johnson family. Paul will be greatly missed…

Paul was a cornerstone of the Hawkestone Singers for many years. That was where I met him. I’ll always remember his cheerful and encouraging comments. He was a very talented and friendly person. My deepest condolences to his wife, Christine, and his daughter Tara, and the whole Johnson family.

I sure enjoyed singing with you, Paul and loved your great sense of humor! I also admred you for the wonderful love you richly gave to and received from your family. I pray smiles of fond memories soon replace tears of sadness for all who mourn your loss. No doubt the angels will love your tenor voice and your creative talents just as much as we did!❤🎶🎵🎺

I just saw Paul’s obituary and I had to write. My husband and I took a pottery class with Paul maybe 20 years ago and I have never forgotten Paul’s kindness and patience. Our daughter is now an artist and Paul was truly inspirational . I have always loved pottery and more so after spending time in Paul’s cozy studio. In honour of Paul, I will definitely shop in a craft person’s studio and stop at those booths at the craft show. I will think of Paul and your family when we get to go back to live theatre and concerts. My condolences to your family, our area has lost a true artisan.

I was extremely fortunate to connect with Paul about 15 yrs ago, it was at a very troublesome time in my life. Paul was a godsend, giving me invaluable guidance.
We were not extremely close but I considered him a dear friend.
One of the most authentically decent people I have ever met.
The dedication to his craft was inspiring.
A true artist.
So much love for him and to you all.

Dear Christine, Colin, Tara, and Jared,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. I am so saddened by the passing of a wonderful husband, father, and former supportive and uplifting parent.

Madame J. laVerdiere (Guthrie Public School)

Paul and I met at Georgian College, some 47 years ago now. He was taking ceramics and I took Interior Design, so we didn’t cross paths constantly, but once we met, I realized that he was a very special person. He had such a sweet, intelligent, playful way about him, and talking to him always left me feeling elevated.

After college, our paths diverged, and we saw each other infrequently, usually on the studio tour or at an artistic event. Each and every time, that wonderful sparkle was there, and I have always thought of him very fondly.

Paul was truly an outstanding human being.

My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of having had contact with him.

Paul was a bright light! A real ray of sunshine! He was always warm, friendly and talkative. His positivity – contagious!
I could always count on him for a cute little anecdote!
I had the great pleasure of getting to know him through the Hawkestone Singers and my friendship with his daughter, Tara.
He was a talented and memorable tenor! I think I speak for everyone when we say we always looked forward to Paul’s performance! He had an incredible love and knowledge of music and it was apparent when he was behind that microphone! I will always remember him as our charming ‘Frosty’ the snowman!
Through my friendship with him and Tara I got to know a lot of his amazing family and had the pleasure of celebrating some important and memorable milestones. Paul was always the life of the party!
Your legacy will live on in your amazing children and grandchildren Paul! You were so loved! I know you will be greatly missed!
My deepest condolences to Christine, Colin, Tara, Nate, Jarod, Jenni and family.
Rest in Peace Paul.

I first met Paul 47 years ago in the pottery studio at Georgian College. He was so creative and made friends so easily!
Over the years Paul was always at the end of the line, positive, with a joke or interesting information about the world.
I consider Paul one of my best friends.
I feel privileged to have special memories with you Christine, Colin, Tara and Jared!
My deepest condolences!

This week, I found one of Paul’s pots at a local thrift shop. It immediately found a place (and a plant!) in my home, and also led me to this page & the wonderful story of Paul’s life. Thank you Paul. It’s beautiful.

Just telling someone about Paul. (My project with leaf prints from Paul’s lawn, made in his class is sitting in the middle of my table) . I took a pottery course with Paul and I returned to visit on and off. I last saw Paul after his stroke. He was working on mountable art and had developed a pouring mixing bowl that allowed for his new style. I always enjoyed chatting with Paul. His work will be treasured.

I use to randomly meet Paul on the road we both lived on. As a fellow artist we had many conversations about art and the business of making art. We also shared ideas about the state of society and world politics. Our chats were always fun. Occasionally I would visit his studio and see his work. The neighborhood seems to miss his presence.