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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
JOHNSON, Eric Arthur Lennart - Len was born in Vancouver August 17, 1921, the fifth of eight children in the family of Eric and Anna Johnson. The Johnsons moved to Surrey in 1926, settling in the Fraserview Manor (Whalley) area.
He went to school at the Port Mann public school in Surrey. Early in his life Len showed entrepreneurial tendencies. He raised rabbits which were used as a food source during the difficult years of the 1930's. He bought a bicycle and sold newspapers along a rather lengthy route that included the Port Mann area and up the Peterson Hill. He was very faithful to his responsibility to the route - never missing a day. He seemed to seldom be ill. His paper route included the CNR cookhouse and he somehow managed to arrive there just in time to receive a piece of pie every day. Lenea remembers Len carrying her through his entire route on his bicycle just so she would know where he had to go.
Lennart found steady employment at the Western Peat Plant following his school years. He bought a car during this time to make it easier to commute to his job. He also bought a motorcycle which he used to enjoy riding.
He joined the Canadian Navy in 1942 and served until the end of the Second World War. He was assigned to ships on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada.
Len married Dorothy Healey in 1951 and they were divorced a few years later.
During the 1950's Len began his contracting business. He purchased earth moving equipment and worked at contracts to clear land, build roads and install water and sewer lines throughout Surrey and in other municipalities in the area. In the 1960's he bought a small acreage along Fraser Highway on which he built a house and machine shop. Len and Norman and their elderly mother lived at this location. Len lived at this there until his diabetes related illness made it necessary for him to be moved to the Charles Barham Pavilion (extended care unit of Surrey Memorial Hospital). His illness affected his legs and feet and he became bed-ridden. He passed away during the evening of Friday, October 4, 2002.
Lennart was a man of varied interests. He enjoyed growing flowers and vegetables in his garden. He planted several types of fruit trees. He built and operated a hobby green house. He was generous by nature and always shared the bounty of his crops with others. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals and birds that lived in the area. Len was an excellent mechanic and owned a collection of tools which was the envy of most people. He learned to weld metal and did much of the maintenance of his own machinery. In his retirement years he completely re-built and customized a truck which he used for the purpose of proof-rolling in road construction.
In 1954 Lennart gave his heart to the Lord and was integrally involved in the work and ministry of the Guildford Church of the Nazarene from that time onward. He taught a boys' Sunday School class for over forty years, often transporting area children to and from Sunday School. He was deeply involved in building and maintaining church properties, clearing land, digging basements, installing services. Lennart worked extensively with his caterpillar tractor and excavator on this present location as the land was developed as a functional church property.
Lennart took a strong interest in the people of his life. He always called to express his concern if anyone was ill. He loved coffee, good food and conversation. We have enjoyed many good laughs and a few good cries as well He liked to go to bed with the birds and get up with them as well. He was a wonderful and loyal friend to many people.
He leaves to mourn his passing: his sister Lenea Hinton; his brothers Norman, Walter (Shirley), Arnold (Laura); several cousins; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
* Lennart's brother Walt Johnson also served in the RCNVR during the Second World War.
Ships served in: Fishermen's Reserve Vessel FIFER
(EALJ001) Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Len Johnson (EALJ002) Len's application for a non-immigrant visa - 27 Feb 1942 (EALJ003) HMCS SANS PEUR 1994 Reunion newsletter (EALJ004) HMCS SANS PEUR jacket patch (EALJ005) Authorization to wear War Service Badge
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