It with shock and sadness that I inform the community of the sudden death of former Academic Dean David Johnson on Sunday, March, 18, 2012. David was a pillar of Vanier College, starting as a chemistry teacher at Snowdon campus in 1974 and immediately taking an active role in the Program system development of the Snowdon campus and on the Board of Directors of Vanier College. He served as interim Sector Head at Snowdon (1979-80) and then that campus’ Academic Dean (1980 – 1986). He was invited to become Dean of Applied Technologies under the reorganization following the move of Snowdon to Ste-Croix in 1986. In 1993-94 he became Academic Dean of the College and retired from that position in Vanier College in 1999-2000, staying for two years longer to work on such endeavours as the Bell Science Fair. He kept in touch with his friends and colleagues at Vanier and returned for the Thursday afternoon volleyball games when he was visiting Montreal.
His career at Vanier was long and fruitful and he shepherded through many changes ranging from moves and t resulting re- organizations to new pedagogy and the integration of information technology.
After his retirement, David moved to Revelstoke, British Columbia, where he maintained his community involvement and interest in things both old and new, most recently as Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation president. See the link below for his activities in British Columbia and that community’s reaction to his sudden death.
His passing is a loss to us all. Our sympathies are extended to his wife, Edna-Mae and his son and daughters, and their families, and his many friends and colleagues.
The funeral will be held in Revelstoke at St Peter’s Church, March 23, 2012.
Gilbert Héroux, Director General
