Miles Johnston

Miles was born October 21, 1964 in Portage La Prairie, Mb.   He was the youngest son of Marvyn and Fran and brother to Tim.  He lived with his family south of Portage for his first 9 years, then moved to the farm at MacGregor where he lived until his passing.

He helped on the farm milking cows, haying, helping in the garden, looking after chickens and pigs, all while going to school. After school activities were 10 pin bowling & figure skating.

When Miles was 16 he went by "Greyhound" to an Odd and Unusual animal auction sale at Burnt Lake Red Deer Alberta. A few years later he was introduced to the owner of the sale, then worked for him (for gas money) for a number of years, finally taking over the sale which he ran for 15 years. It was a 3 day sale 2 times a year. Easter and Thanksgiving. He really loved his donkeys and other animals that he acquired from this sale. Yaks, zebus, goats, donkeys, llamas, and  many many different birds.  

In 1989 Miles went to New Zealand with the International Agriculture Exchange Association where he worked on a deer farm.  He met many other exchange students and became life long fiends with many. He sponsored one of those families from Denmark when they moved to Canada and who are now Canadian citizens.

He coached Special Olympics and went to Minneapolis, all over Manitoba even went to Hong Kong to watch one of his athletes compete. (he didn't coach her while there). He judged figure skating in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, North and South Dakota . Last being March 10-11, 2023  in Grand Forks (while sick) . He judged and evaluated figure skating and that  led into judging roller skating all over the world Winnipeg Pan Am Games, Australia, Argentina, Italy, Taiwan, Mexico Pan Am Games, Spain, Toronto Pan Am Games, Portugal, Mexico. 

Miles’ pride and joy was Sprucedale.  He worked at Sprucedale for 38 years. He started there shortly after graduation later became the executive director. He was very dedicated to the clients.  Often taking some of them on weekends to events around Manitoba.  Sometimes just a picnic at the Winnipeg zoo, or to Clear Lake.. Holidays to BC and Ontario  for 2 weeks by himself.  When he took the clients to Minneapolis for Special Olympics then decided to take them on a holiday while they were there.  He was always giving and even more so  at Christmas, making sure everyone had a great Christmas even if it was to bring them to his house for Xmas supper. (that included this past Xmas even when he found out he had cancer). 

He also had a few clients live with him over the years.

He learned sign language so he could communicate with the deaf clients.

Miles has touched so many people from near and far. It didn't matter where he went he always knew someone.  He led a very busy life but was always ready to help anyone who needed it in anyway he could possibly help.  He loved and was interested in people and their stories.  He  liked animals, nature and the simple things like the smells in the greenhouse, wind on his face, the smell of rain and in his last days the taste of raspberries and macaroni salad.

Even though he was in Palliative  Care. ( He wanted  to be in control).  So by getting day passes he was able to take care of business whether it was at the farm or Sprucedale.   

Miles believed in living every moment of every day to the fullest.

Miles was predeceased by his dad Marvyn, aunt Dixie, grandparents both maternal and paternal.

Miles is survived by his special friend Donna, mother Fran, brother Tim and niece Tanya, aunts, uncle, and cousins and his Sprucedale family.

Special Thanks to all the staff in Palliative Care in  Portage for all their excellent care. 

To Dr. "Mike" and Dr. Ross who said "Miles was a great person and patient, and the world needed more people like Miles. 

A Celebration of Life 

will be held on 

Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11 am

Sprucedale Industries 

Austin, Mb.

***** Please bring your own lawn chair *****

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Miles Johnston, please visit our floral store.