Things we Love About Brian: • His favourite foods were “Mush”, pepperoni pizza, pasta, peanut butter sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, hamburgers, and popsicles. • Brian loved nothing more than eating crushed ice and drinking cold water. • He had a different car almost every year and Brian kept them cleaner than the factory. He always loved 1955-57 T-Birds. •Brian loved to golf and always had to be home for every major championship. •He was a great swimmer, his claim to fame was being able to hold his breath forever! •Brian loved to be behind the camera documenting moments, but also equally loved to be in front of the camera as the center of attention! • He was fun to be with, true to his Irish heritage, and a story teller- no matter what, you believed him! • When you visited him and/or he visited you, he cleaned your car- he was always cleaning his car, golf clubs, or various objects he could find that needed a clean (sometimes even taking the finish off of things!) Brian • His granddaughter Alex was the “babe” and light of his life. Johnston Rest in Peace Brian, you’re back with your Moo again. We love you. Love: Darren, Tirzah, Alex, Julie and Mike May 27th, 1941 - August 19th, 2020 Brian loved to work and led a prolific insurance career for over 35 years. He began working as a claims adjuster for Allstate and held various claims roles at The Extraordinary Life of Brian George Johnston Aetna Life and Casualty, Travellers Insurance Group, and the Claims Managers Association of Canada. Brian moved to the Brian was born at East York General Hospital to George and Ethel Johnston brokerage side of the insurance industry when he (nee: Kinnear) who both immigrated to Canada in their late teens from Ireland. moved to Calgary to work at Marsh & McLennan They met in the Irish Community in East York, where they were eventually and then at Sedgwicks. In 1990, the family moved married and raised a family with strong Irish roots. Brian was one of 4 children back to Ontario where Brian began the role of SVP with an older sister Pat, younger brother Dave, at Sedgwicks. About a year later, he moved to and younger sister, Judi. The family home was CIGNA to be the President and CEO and soon at 249 Glebeholme Blvd, where the family lived again, he moved to Liberty International to lead the until Brian was 19 years old. (Interesting fact, organization as their President and CEO and Chair this home recently sold for $1.3M). Brian’s of the Board. Using his expertise in the insurance favourite room was the combined recreation industry he took the leap to start his own company room and bedroom in the basement his Dad in 1997; Markham General Insurance Company, built. Around 12 years old, this room became “MGIC”. His vision grew quickly, however, Brian ultimately made a career Brian’s. Brian would walk 3 blocks to Earl Beatty change and moved on to something different, construction and real estate Public school and later for high school, he development with TGA Holdings. He worked hard his entire life up until his would walk about 3 miles every day to retirement only a few years ago, he loved his time leading others, and was Riverdale Collegiate. beloved by many who worked with him. Brian was named after two people – “Brian Ahern” a movie star of the 40’s and While Brain was certainly busy with his various roles, he never forgot the 50’s and his mom’s cousin, Brian E. Dickson who went on to become the Chief importance of family and documenting precious family memories. He Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Brian’s nick name growing up was continued his family’s traditions of summers in “Willy”, but later in life he preferred “BJ” or “Bri”. Brian attended church every Muskoka where he would often go through several Sunday morning with his Dad and went to Sunday School, but anyone who rolls of film in a single weekend. Brian was always knows Brian knows that Church wasn’t really his thing! found with a video camera in hand at any family gathering or important milestone. Brian loved his Throughout his childhood, Brian loved sports and would often play outside cottage on Loon Lake and loved his time spent with the family home. He would play street hockey, baseball, and football, and had family there. He also loved music, he loved to play it a passion for swimming. He would often walk to Maple Leaf Stadium with his as loud as possible and sing to some of his friends, eat hotdogs and popcorn, and drink pop while watching his favourite favourites, Neil Diamond and the Eagles. He also team, the Maple Leaf’s play. loved his dogs; Trim, Riley and Cody. He loved golfing, winter’s in Florida with Moo and teaching Brian was always passionate about work and a good help around the home. his granddaughter Alex how to properly swing a club. He was working at a shoe store when he met his beloved Moo. After she visited the store a few times with her sister, Brian Family was everything to Brian. After Moo passed away in 2016, he missed her worked up the courage to ask her out on a date terribly. Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and fought hard throughout his and won her over by teaching her how to drive his journey with the disease and passed suddenly on August 19th, 2020. car! It was June 10th, 1960 when their story began. Brian married Muriel If you could ask Brian some of the “Moo” on September important lessons he learned throughout 19th, 1964 at the Zion- his life, he would say: treat others with Wexford United Church respect, help when and where you can, a in Scarborough, Ontario loving family is the most important thing and that was the start of you can give your family, and to enjoy each their 50+ year journey day of your life as it’s a short journey. Brian together. They welcomed their daughter Julie in will be missed terribly, however, his legacy 1965 and son Darren in 1969. As a family, they lives on in his daughter Julie, son Darren, moved often, including out West to Calgary, but and granddaughter Alex. Brian would want us all to honour his memory and they eventually settled in Markham in 1990. know that he is with us in all that we do.
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