ERIC ARTHUR ‘DOC’ JOHNSON

Eric Arthur “Doc” Johnson, 88, of 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away quietly at his residence on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.
He was born Nov. 21, 1922 in Fort Frances. Doc lived in Fort Frances all of his life with his wife, Alexandra (Sandra).
He was a WWII veteran in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served overseas for three years as a navigator in the Allied Bomber Command based out of Yorkshire, England.
Following the war, Doc returned to Fort Frances, where he worked for 38 years with Canada Customs, as manager of five ports, until his retirement in 1984. Doc was presented with a plaque dedicating the study/meeting hall in his name at the new Customs facility in Fort Frances.
Doc also was a great hockey player for many years, thrilling fans with his puck-handling skills. He was a member of the 1952 Allan Cup champions playing with the Fort Frances Canadians. His teammates and he were inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Hall of Fame.
Doc also coached locally at the Midget level for almost 15 years.
In May, 2010, Doc and his wife, Sandra, established the Eric (Doc) and Sandra Johnson Endowment Fund to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care to support La Verendrye General Hospital.
Doc loved curling and golf, and had memberships in both organizations, as well as memberships in the Royal Canadian Legion and the Moose Club. He was always active in community activities.
Whenever possible, he and his wife enjoyed time spent at their lake cottage.
Doc was predeceased by his parents, Axel and Sally Johnson; sister, Edith “Johnnie” Reuter and husband, Paul Reuter, of International Falls, Mn.; aunt, Sarah Johnson; and nephews, Ronald and Gary Reuter, and Peter William Ballan.
Doc is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Fort Frances, Ont.; brother-in-law, Nick Wihnan of Fort Frances, Ont.; sister-in-law, Sophie (Peter) Ballan of Fort Frances, Ont.; niece, Charlynn (Robert) Hammond of Cocoa Beach, Fla. and her children, Jennifer Hammond of Kissimmee, Fla., Anjanette (David) McNerney and her daughter, Jade lyn and son of Springbora, Ohio, and Michael Hammond of Stillwater, Mn.; niece, Alyce Reuter of Central Point, Ore.; special nieces, Barbara Grass, Betty (Wayne) Lepper, Lesley Andres, Julie (Dave) Crichton, Toni (Charley) Anderson, and Dorlene (Don) Parsons; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Cremation has taken place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
A memorial service to celebrate Doc’s life will be held Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Fr. Wayne McIntosh officiating.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 Color Guard will provide their tribute during the service.
The honourary pallbearers will be Pete Ballan, Wayne Lepper, John Duchnicki, Roy Legarie, Olaf Mosley, and Sambo Fedoruk.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Long-Term Care c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com