Hugh George Johanson

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Hugh Johanson on May 20, 2025, six weeks after his 94th birthday.

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, favorite uncle and loyal friend to many, and best neighbor ever. Always the snow angel.

Born on April 4, 1931, to Carl and Victoria Johanson in Winnipeg Manitoba, Hugh grew up in a small house on Second Avenue in Gimli, Manitoba with his parents, grandparents and four brothers Carl, Jimmy, Albert and Roland. Hugh was thrilled to stay in his childhood home twice when he visited Gimli in recent years.

Hugh was well known for always giving a helping hand, his strong work ethic, stubbornness and good sense of humor. He claimed that stubborn attitude was the reason he regained his ability to walk again after having polio at age 4 and 5. At 14 years old he left school to work on Lake Winnipeg fishing boats including the famous Goldie and later worked in the Gimli fishery. He also worked in Churchill Manitoba for a season. Hugh had a sharp mind, was self-taught and could fix almost anything from cars to lawnmowers to appliances; he enjoyed the challenge. His carpenter father and uncles taught him advanced woodworking skills. He enjoyed a vanilla ice cream cone almost every day. Wisers was his choice of whiskey. 

Hugh’s best friend Ed Patzel became his brother-in-law after introducing Hugh to younger sister Lillian. Hugh and Lil were married in Winnipeg on June 25, 1956. Two days later they drove south to the US for their honeymoon with Ed and his new bride Del in a green 1947 Ford. The four came to Calgary to see the famous Calgary stampede and decided to settle there. 

Hugh and Lil bought a starter home in Bowness which later became part of Calgary. Hugh was a foreman for Irving Wire and in his spare time he dug out their house basement by hand. Later he built his garage with a wood burning stove and that is where the magic happened. Even when he was legally blind, he was able to make beautiful furniture for everyone, mostly from reclaimed oak. He was famous for his wishing wells, Horilka (whisky) tables, jewelry boxes and oak trunks. He had a few close calls with his saw, but he never lost a finger! He loved Fords and going hunting with his first-generation Broncos. Hunting was a big part of his life, from camping to filling his freezer. He would clean and butcher his own kill and make sausage and loaded his own bullets.

Hugh was predeceased by his wife Lillian after 65 years of marriage, son-in-law Danny Popplestone, daughter Arlene Popplestone, great grandson Clark Hundal, daughter Dolores Neilson, all four brothers and good buddy Siggy in Gimli. 

He is survived by daughter Lory (Robert), Kostash and son Roland, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, lifelong friends and neighbors especially Clayton, Richard, Phil, Darrel (RIP) and Liz. He will be missed by so many people. 

A celebration of Hugh’s life will be held on June 7, 2025, from 1-3pm at Bowness Senior’s Center, 6422-35 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta. Donations to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

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