Obituary of Randy Johnston

Randolph Stuart Johnston
June 24, 1952 to April 6, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randolph Stuart Johnston (Randy) on April 6, 2023 in Sandy Lake, Ontario, at the age of 70. Born in Windsor, Ontario, he obtained his BA in History (1975), Honour's in History (1975), and Master's in History (1984) from the University of Windsor, where he worked and taught in the History Department.  He left the U of W to pursue a career in Education, which took him to Chisasibi QC, Pelican Narrows SK, Prince Albert SK, Sandy Lake ON, and other remote communities.  Along the way he enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and cheering for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.

Randy was predeceased by his parents Stuart (2016) and Mary (2005).  He is survived by his sister Wendy Langill and niece Meighan Pavan of Ontario; his sons Aleksandar (Adrienn, Logan, Daniel, and Amanda) of Alberta, Nathanial, Benjamin (Shaunee, Baylee and Aubree), and Darius (Shayna) of Saskatchewan; his ex-wife and the mother of his sons Katherine Keichinger of Saskatchewan; and his ex-wife Julia Abbott (Lisa, Glenda, David, Michael, Kerri-Anne, Joshua, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter) of Saskatchewan.

He will be forever remembered not only by his family but also by the many students of Indigenous ancestry that he has helped to attain higher education, along with members of the communities he lived in and worked in (including the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Keewaywin First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, and Sandy Lake First Nation).

Viewing will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Saskatoon Funeral Home at 2:00 pm with a brief ceremony at that time.  A private ceremony will be held by his family where his ashes will be returned to nature.  Memorial donations in his honour can be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.