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JOHNSON, Eric Sverre ‘Rick’

January 14, 1926 – December 21, 2011

Rick died peacefully in his sleep at 5:30 p.m., on December 21, 2011 at the age of 85. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his daughter Vicki and grandchildren Aaron, Lucas, Vanessa, his brother Karl (Jean) Johnson and by 7 nieces and nephews. Sadly, he was predeceased by his son Neal, in 1995. Rick loved his family dearly and surrounded himself with their pictures in his little cabin on Lime Street. The people of Princeton were his second family. Some of his fondest memories were having lemon meringue pie at the Belair Café and a breakfast sandwich at Subway, where the staff were his friends. Our family would like to thank Gordy and Tami Daw, owners of the Riverside Hotel. There was never a special meal that they didn’t include Rick, and he insisted her turkey was the best in the country. The staff of Interior Health, led by Marilyn Smyth, who were unbelievably kind and considerate of his needs. The Shoppers Drugstore and Helen, who delivered his medication every week. Rick looked forward to their chats. Such friendship and care could never happen in a large city. Dr. Adams was never too overworked to answer our calls and discuss our concerns, and the staff at Princeton General who cared for Rick at the end cared as though they were his family. His ‘other’ family will be grateful forever. Rick kept us all entertained with his stories of the days he tended bar, served beer, or managed hotels. He had lots of tales to tell about old Vancouver drinking spots like the Ivanhoe, Kingston, Biltmore, Rembrandt and Kingsway. He always spoke fondly of his coworkers and managers long after they moved away and went on with their lives. Rick enjoyed his life. He never saw a horse track or a casino he didn’t like and he lived his life his way until the very end. A private service will be held at a later date in Toronto.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family c/o hansonsfuneral.com.



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