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Johnston; Robert de Beauchesne

January 26, 2018 44 Condolences

2b copy

Robert de Beauchesne Johnston, Ph.D., (March 28, 1946 – January 23, 2018) passed away surrounded by loved ones in Nova Scotia after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Montreal to Stanley and Annette (Hould), he is survived by his beloved wife of fifty years Celeste (Smith), daughter Elise (Maurice), sons Dr. Robert (Fiona), and Andrew (Lisa), and grandchildren Malcolm, Naomi, Gabrielle, and Connor. Perfectly bilingual and a gifted student, he attended Selwyn House School, Bishop’s College School, McGill University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a PhD in computer engineering in 1971. He subsequently held several posts in industry and academia, including Professor and director of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique – télécommunications (Quebec). He was adored by students, both his own and others who gravitated to his attentive teaching. Kind, gregarious, and generous to all around him, he was a devoted family man, and quick to smile, with a robust sense of humour. When not tinkering on computers or woodworking, he could be found on the ocean off residences in Abaco, Bahamas and Hunts Point, Nova Scotia.

The family would like to thank health care staff in Liverpool, Bridgewater, and Halifax.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Liverpool Regional High School Scholarship Foundation in memory of Robert Johnston for furthering education in science.

A service and reception will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, on February 3rd, 2018, at 2:00 pm  and a memorial service in Montreal this spring.

To share memories or condolences, please visit www.chandlersfuneral.com

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Condolence Messages

  1. Zona Hatt

    January 26, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Dear Celeste & family,

    I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Mom spoke highly of your hubby & family & the closeness you shared .. cherish & hold all your memories close !! There will be sadness with tears but there will also be laughter with tears as you share stories of time’s gone bye !!

    May you feel God’s presence as you prepare to say bye for now .. till you meet again ..

    Hugs
    Zona

  2. Sheila Wilson

    January 26, 2018 at 5:46 pm

    So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing Celeste. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
    Sheila and Bill Wilson

  3. Beverley Simpson

    January 26, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to our classmate Celeste and the family.

  4. Judy James

    January 26, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    RJ was a kind, unassuming and generous man. My heart goes out to Celeste and family on your profound loss. Deepest condolences.
    Judy and Zulu

  5. Eslam Awad

    January 26, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    Mr. Robert was the most kind and generous man i have ever met i spent over a week in his home back in 2014 through my participation in liverpool international theater festival, am really sad to hear about his passing away, my sincere condolences to his wife and his family, peace and love be upon him

  6. Ahmed abodouh

    January 26, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    peace be upon a man who was kind
    A man who was so hospitable
    My heart hurts
    Im going to keep you in my prayers and thoughts
    Rest in Peace Mr bob

  7. Margaret Brown

    January 26, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Dear Celeste -Gary and I send you our sincere sympathy in the passing of your dear husband Robert.I’m sure you were a great advocate for him through his illness and in his final days.Please extend our sympathy to your family also.Love to you from us in Calgary. Marg

  8. Pat Dexter

    January 26, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    Hi Celeste: I am so sorry for your loss. Words fail me. Please accept my heartfelt condolences

  9. Margot

    January 26, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    Dear Celeste, I was shocked and saddened to read the news of Robert’s passing. I had a great visit with you both this passed summer, it was so nice to reconnect. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
    Love Margot

  10. Hal McGee

    January 26, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    The death of a loved one is a magical thing; although they are not present in this world, they are never absent. Beautiful moments will continue to be shared with them. Warm thoughts and gentle hugs to Celeste and all the family.

  11. debra hansen

    January 26, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    To The Johnston I’m So Sorry For Your Loss R J Was A Wonderful Man R.I.P Debra And Billy Hansen

  12. Louise carbonneau vermeiren

    January 26, 2018 at 10:10 pm

    Deepest condolences to you Celeste and your family members. I feel for you. I am sending healing divine light to embrace each one of you.

  13. Mic & Kim Davidman

    January 26, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    Brainy and accomplished, his in-depth knowledge from astronomy to Shakespeare made him a true Renaissance man. Mostly we remember his loyalty, kindness and generosity, even to strangers. Polite and mannered to a fault; the perfect host. Didn’t know how to say “no”, but a master at equivocating! You had to be prepared for multiple choice if you asked for technical advice.
    All the adventures we would have missed but for our friendship: repairs to the roof at Lac Provost, plumbing at every locale, boat rides to the barrier islands at TC (sometimes scary!), snorkelling in the Galapagos, fresh caught fish dinners in TC, dog training in Boston, elaborate picnics at Tanglewood, babysitting in London! As for his preferred Scotch, he wasn’t fussy.
    Such an athlete, in his prime Bob could out-walk, out-ski us all even with his smoking handicap.
    It feels like The Johnston/Davidman family now have a screw loose without the RJ bolt holding us together. We miss you and will miss your more as time goes by. Lots and lots of love to Celeste and all the family. Mic and Kim

  14. Rika Bolivar

    January 26, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    So sorry to hear of Bob`s passing. He was a great man. May he always be remembered for being so.

  15. Carla Young

    January 27, 2018 at 3:18 am

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss Celeste. My most deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

  16. Shannon Hartlen

    January 27, 2018 at 7:01 am

    Celeste, Elise and Family,
    We are very sorry to hear of Robert’s passing. What an amazing life to celebrate. Sending big, warm hugs to all of you, and wishing you peace in the coming days.
    Xo
    Shannon and Corey Hartlen

  17. Rosalee Smith

    January 27, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Celeste and family …I weep as I write this … though I did not know Robert I know that losing someone so near and dear is very hard. Your memories are to be treasured. My condolences to all of you.

  18. George and Joanne Erhart

    January 27, 2018 at 8:51 am

    We will always remember his easy smile, infectious laugh and generosity with his time. Warm hugs for all the family at this difficult time.

  19. Danielle&Matt

    January 27, 2018 at 8:54 am

    Sending love and condolences. We are all very sad to hear of your loss. Thinking of you. Love from Matt, Danielle, and family.

  20. Sue Regan Burke

    January 27, 2018 at 10:07 am

    Very sorry to hear of your loss, Celeste. I remember him being such a gentleman at our reunion in Hunt’s Point. May you find peace in all your memories over those 50 years.

  21. Brenda Lawrence

    January 27, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Celeste and family .
    So shocked and sorry to read of Bob’s passing .
    My heart aches for you , he was such a wonderful man .
    Sincere sympathy . Brenda Lawrence .

  22. Fran Henley Amirault

    January 27, 2018 at 10:34 am

    Dear Celeste,
    My heartfelt condolences to you and all your family. All the wonderful memories you and Bob shared will be with you and give you strength at this particular difficult time and forever. Thinking of you and sending prayers to all of you.
    Hugs, Fran

  23. Shirley & Paul Shot

    January 27, 2018 at 11:16 am

    Celeste and family: It is with a heavy heart that I write these words…Bob was a very kind hearted man, and had a smile that would light up a room…he had a gentle way about him…he was very laid back and complained about nothing…we will miss him at Brooklyn Marina…may you R.I.P. my friend…spread your Wings and go Fly High with the Angels…
    “Just Remember” when someone you Love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure…GOD BLESS

  24. Sandi and Dennis Jones

    January 27, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Our greatest sympathy to Celeste and the entire Johnston family. Dennis and I knew Bob as “RJ”, here in our NS community at White Point. We will miss his generous, kind and funny spirit so very much.

  25. Sandi and Dennis Jones

    January 27, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    Our greatest sympathy to Celeste and the entire Johnston family. Dennis and I knew Bob as “RJ”, here in our NS community at White Point. We will miss his generous, kind and funny spirit so very much.

  26. Diane

    January 27, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    Dear Celeste and family,

    I am so sorry for your heart wrenching loss. May you be surrounded by loving family, friends and loving memories. I was blessed to have sat with your wonderful Bob at one of the Fund raising Galas and have a glimpse into your loving relationship. Sending loving energy to you and your family.

    Diane Lewis

  27. Dan & Barbara MacLaren

    January 27, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    Celeste and family
    I was saddened to learn of Bobs passing. We had many a good chat at the marina. He will be missed
    Dan MacLaren

  28. Howard Smith

    January 28, 2018 at 12:45 am

    My dearest zceleste, Elise, Robby and my godson Andrew, I will be ther to say a final goodbye to our beloved RJ, love Bobby’s/Howard

  29. Howard Smith

    January 28, 2018 at 12:46 am

    My dearest Celeste, Elise, Robby and my godson Andrew, I will be there to say a final goodbye to our beloved RJ, love Bobby/Howard

  30. Debi and John Pye

    January 28, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Debi and I had the privilege of knowing RJ for a number of years and carry with us many fond memories of good times together, particularly during the famous Johnston dinner parties. I had not known RJ for long when I asked him to help me translate a quirky French quote for a piece I was writing. The next day he was around to our place with a methodical, highlighted and annotated parsing of the troublesome phrase. I was overwhelmed by the effort he put into this. But it was typical of him, as we were both to discover over the years. Kind, generous, enthusiastic to discuss or debate any subject you cared to mention, willing to dive into any challenge … making conch shells out of wood, building a pirate ship for his grandkids, crafting wine. He was a wonderful, unique human being, and we shall miss him.

  31. Debbie Doucette

    January 28, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    Celeste and Family
    I was saddened to hear of Roberts death- my sincere condolences. Your memories are precious and as you recall and share some of those times, you will have special Robert moments that will stay with you always! Hang tight to each other as the strength you gain from each other will help you through this loss.

  32. Faye and Norman Levy

    January 28, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    Celeste and Family,

    I am so very sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. He was such a kind and gentle man always willing to help any way he could. Cherish all your wonderful memories. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    Faye and Norman Levy

  33. Sonia Semenic

    January 29, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Dear Celeste, so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and wishing you “bon courage” during this time of great sadness.

  34. Anna Santandrea

    January 29, 2018 at 3:06 pm

    Dear Celeste,
    I was so saddened to hear of your great loss… I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you as you go through such difficult time. I hope that the beautiful memories you have of him will carry you through as you mourn his loss. My sincere sympathies to you and your family.

  35. Kathi Parlee

    January 29, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Celeste, Elise and family – We were so sorry to hear this news. Our condolences to you all.

    Glenn and Kathi Parlee

  36. Bill and Camilla Smyth

    January 30, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    To know Bob a pleasure. To be counted a friend, a great privilege. A true Gentleman and a Scholar. His Joie de Vivre a model to look up to. Wow! A Back to the Future moment he shared while visiting in Treasure Quay – on the sideboard was a little cigarette packaged size item with wires, circuit boards and tiny flashing red lights. An invention of Bob’s that he was testing – purportedly to control an elevator – when asked the practical application after it passed – didn’t seem relevant!!! Just recently, he proudly displayed a model earth mover machine he made out of wood, for his grandson, or was it for himself. In any event, in true Bob form, he had a ring binder full of at least a hundred detailed blueprints for every component of the carving. I am sure the drawings must have taken 50 times longer to create than the actual building. We will truly miss you. RIP Sir Bob.

    Bill and Camilla.

  37. Janice Reynolds

    January 31, 2018 at 8:22 am

    Celeste, Sorry to hear of RJ’s passing. Please know you are in my thoughts.

  38. Claire Jospitre

    February 1, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    No doubt, Bob enriched the lives of those who knew him. I hope that in due time your family receives God’s peace that excels all thought, so that it will guard your hearts and your mental, giving you the strength you need in the days ahead. God is called the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation. Rest assured that God cares for all his creatures and he would never bring us suffering. A soothing scripture I like is Psalm 34:18 which reads: “Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart, and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” He promised that in the Paradise, we will have the prospect of enjoying life without end, free from all problems, accidents, and sickness. Even our dead loved ones like Bob will be resurrected. (Psalm 37:9, 29; John 5:28, 29) With all my sympathy for the loss of someone so dear.

  39. Ferial and Mo El-Hawary

    February 1, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    The word sadness is not adequate to describe how Ferial and I feel about Dr. Johnston’s passing. White Point will never be the same without Bob. A real intellectual, and a kind and generous friend who is fun to be with, is gone to a better place. Our hearts go out to Celeste and family for your tremendous loss.

  40. Susan Wing

    February 2, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Dear Celeste We are so sorry for your loss. I’m so glad we were able to visit you both a few summers ago. It was fun to surprise you. both. I believe Bob was smoking some fish in his smoker. Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Much love Susan and Allan Wing

  41. Roy and Jane

    February 2, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Please except our deepest sympathy at this most difficult time.
    Roy and Jane Payzant

  42. Roy & Jane Payzant

    February 2, 2018 at 9:28 pm

    Celeste, we are so sorry to hear about Bob. He was a great asset to the marina and will truly be missed. Our sympathies.

    Roy & Jane

  43. Bonnie Gregg

    February 5, 2018 at 10:38 am

    Dear Celeste
    So very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I was thinking of you on the 3rd.It was nice some of our classmates could be there .As you said you had over 50 wonderful years together.I know you will draw on those memories for comfort.
    Please know that I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers
    Love
    Bonnie Rogers Gregg

  44. Stephanie Miller

    February 12, 2018 at 7:07 pm

    Celeste I do fondly remember meeting the 2 of you at WP and loved chatting with “bob” my sincerest condolences

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