He lived his life in anticipation of heaven, and peacefully, early in the morning, went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

 

Paul is reunited with his wife Sigthrud, son Joel, grandson Travis (TJ), his parents Alfred and Belle Johnson, his sister Catherine, brothers Ernest and Alfred (Skelly), and many other dear family and friends that went before him.

 

He leaves a legacy of love for his daughter J’Lynn, grandchildren Veronica, Chazz, and Janna and for his 4 great grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered by his brother James (Judith), and many friends.

 

Paul was born in Winnipeg on December 5, 1931. He had a gentle nature, a kind and compassionate heart, and touched the lives of all who knew him. He always made himself available to those in need of someone to listen, to provide guidance, support and prayer. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh.

 

Paul lived a life of purpose and passion. At 16 his father passed away, he left his family with a Godly legacy, and that legacy had a profound impact on Paul, shortly after his father died, Paul made a pivotal decision to commit his life to the Lord. That commitment, his personal relationship with Jesus was what he relied on to navigate through the next 74 years of his life.

 

Paul was devoted to his wife of 65 years Sigthrud. (Trudy to family and friends, but always Sigthrud to him). They married on an unusually balmy day in Winnipeg, March 23, 1957. In 1961 he welcomed son Joel, and a few years later completed his family with the addition of daughter J’Lynn. He was a patient, loving, and engaged father.

 

Paul joined the City of Winnipeg Fire Department on November 1, 1957. He was known by many names in the firehalls, PV, Ping Pong Paul (often challenged, seldom defeated), Thumper, his Bible was always with him, and he was always prepared to share the gospel. His career spanned more than 33 years and he earned trust and respect from those he worked with. He ended his career as Training officer, he thought it was the perfect fit, combining his love of the job with his passion for teaching.

 

Between the responsibilities of home and work Paul filled his time teaching. Whether as a counsellor at youth camp, leading home based Bible studies, manning a phone for the Billy Graham ministry, or behind the walls of Stony Mountain Penitentiary. He took every opportunity offered or that he could make to share the gospel and lead people to the Lord.

 

Life began to change for Paul in 2015 when he suffered a stroke, five weeks later a massive pulmonary embolism. The next several years were filled with hospital and rehabilitation visits for many life affecting illnesses. He started to lose the things in life that gave him his independence and started to strip him of his ability to do the things he loved so much to do. But it never shook his faith. He never wondered why God was allowing this to happen, but looked for the reason why God wanted him here. He accepted the changes, humbled himself to accept help for even the most basic of tasks. Understood when his caregivers were frustrated or overwhelmed by the volume of tasks that each day held. He remained patient and kind.

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He was till his end my dad. In early November his doctor came into his hospital room and explained my dad’s prognosis. When he left, we sat silently, hands joined trying to absorb what we were told. Dad broke the silence with a question “Will you remember me?” I remember saying yes, but quietly wondered what I would remember.

 

I had been his caregiver for so long, my memories seem more related to his health than to him. In the days following his passing, as I started leafing through family photo’s, my recall of the man who loved me from start to finish no matter how difficult a task I often made it started to fill my mind. With grateful heart I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a father who long before he chose a wife, career or thought of children chose you. I will move forward through the rest of my life with the echo of a million “I love you’s” and the memory of all the actions that validated those words. So yes daddy, I will remember you until we are reunited when God calls me home.

 

Special thank you to my Auntie Fav, who never felt like she was doing much, but with her tenderness and love helped to carry me through. Miles and Kim Johnson for stepping up and being a source of help, love and support. CJ and Randy Byrnes for your faithful friendship, we appreciated your weekly visits, and your constant support. You all made a difference in his quality of life.

 

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral. In late spring or early summer, when the leaves are green and flowers are in bloom, family and friends will be invited to a celebration of life for both Paul and Trudy.