Preceded by Charles Cragg Children 3 Unit The Algonquin Regiment Spouse(s) Margaret Died August 21, 2005 | Constituency Parry Sound Role Politician Succeeded by Lorne Maeck Name Allister Johnston | |
Born March 19, 1908
Sunridge, Ontario ( 1908-03-19 ) Political party Progressive Conservative Party Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Service/branch Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery | ||
Allister "Allie" Johnston (March 19, 1908 - August 21, 2005) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1948 to 1971 who represented the riding of Parry Sound.
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Background
Johnston was born in Sunridge, Ontario. During the Second World War, Johnston served as a Major in The Algonquin Regiment, a light infantry regiment which saw action in Normandy, northern France and Belgium. After the war, he rose to become Lt. Colonel of the Regiment. After the war, Johnston established an insurance company in South River, W.A. Johnston Insurance, which is still operated by his two sons. He was active in a wide variety of charitable organizations, including serving as President of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Johnston was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, and they had three children, John (Jack), Lynne and Peter. He is buried in the South River Cemetery, in South River, Ontario.
Politics
Johnston served as a municipal councillor in the village of South River, Ontario, and as a trustee and then Chair of the South River School Board.
He was elected to the provincial legislature in a December 1948 by-election when Charles Cragg, the member who won the 1948 provincial election in June died suddenly after only two months in office. He was re-elected five times and served for a total of 24 years before retiring in 1971. He was one of the longest-serving MPP's in the Ontario history. In addition to his service on Legislative Committees, he was appointed as a Commissioner on the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.