bout de papier, Vol. 20, No. 3 (2004) — Winter/Spring 2004 // Hiver/Printemps 2004, p. 25
The following is from a tribute to Rod Johnson at his funeral service on 30 October, 2003.
I was deeply saddened when I was informed of Rod Johnson’s passing. We had a long chat early in the summer when I heard he was ill. He was in good spirits and hopeful of possible recovery. We reminisced and talked of old times. We had looked forward to lunch together later in the summer. But unfortunately it was not to be, much to my great regret. He bore his illness with courage and dignity, supported by his loving family.
I was very honored and humbled by Dorothy Johnson’s invitation to say a few words in celebration of Rod’s life and to honour his memory. I first met Rod in September, 1986, following my assignment to Air Services Negotiations. I knew very little about air services agreements, air law or the background to air negotiations. So in came two chaps, Rod Johnson and Dan Morin who were the resident experts in External Affairs. Here was Rod, a burly figure, a bear of a man with an impressive presence, with a sparkle in his eyes and an engaging smile, he advised me that the British had denounced our air agreement which put at risk not only our air services to the UK but also the Toronto-London- Bombay-Singapore service, the jewel in Air Canada’s crown, and that we were under pressure from the airlines to talk to the British as soon as possible, and then to India and Singapore. That was a baptism of fire. It was at their feet that I learnt my job. It was Rod who was a constant source of encouragement and support during that challenging period, for which I was always grateful. His seemingly easygoing manner masked an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the objectives of Canadian Air Policy, the strategy and tactics to be employed, complemented by an astute perception of the positions and players of our and opposite airlines. Rod had what I would call “Air Smarts” “. It was a very special gift. He had an unshaken sense of pragmatism and solid common sense. When he thought we were getting too theoretical or speculative in our planning discussions, Rod, who had been listening carefully, interjected with a witty remark followed by a simple but carefully worded approach, that brought us back to realty. Rod often acted as Secretary of Delegation, whose task it was to draft the report at the end of our negotiations. And his were excellent. As a colleague he showed unflinching loyalty. By no means a Yes-Man. He gave candid advice when most needed and it was always valued. On our negotiations abroad, his deep love and pride in his dear wife Dorothy and his children, Steve and Laura, were uppermost in his heart and mind. They can all be justly proud of Rod as husband, father, father-in-law and granddad. He was a man of great integrity and accomplishment. Indeed one of the finest foreign service officers of his generation. I was particularly proud and happy for Rod when the Crown of Canada recognized his important and special contribution to Canada’s Air Services when he was honored by the Governor General with the award of the Centennial Medal, which commemorated Canada’s 125th anniversary.
On a lighter note, I should perhaps recall a defining moment when I saw the real Rod. It was in Dublin. It was a particularly heartbreaking negotiation. Both sides wanted to reach agreement but our positions were irreconcilable. To drown our sorrows we went to a pub for a drink. The place was crowded but we got seated at a table with two Irish girls. Given Rod’s insatiable curiosity about the life and mores of people in other countries, he asked one of the girls whether she had a good day. Yes, she said. She had just come from Cork and had landed a job as teller in a bank. She was staying with her friend at the YWCA. How did she find it, asked Rod. It was OK, but they imposed a curfew at midnight, when the doors were closed. And that happens if one arrives later, asked Rod. Oh! She said, the possibilities are endless! Oh! Said Rod, really, you don’t say. Oh! Yes, she said, you only know what’s possible when you try. At that moment I found that girl’s comment had unknowingly defined Rod’s lodestar. Among his many gifts, Rod was an irrepressible mimic with an uncanny accuracy and nuance of idiom and accent. I was not spared.
Rod, we shall miss you, but your contribution is an integral part of our Air Services Agreements and they represent a living memorial to all your fine work. It is sad that you are leaving us when you still had so much to offer. Those of us who were fortunate to work with you and to be privileged by your friendship will treasure fond memories of our shared experiences. You were a sensitive soul with a noble spirit and generous heart, kind, warm and full of good fun. We shall always remember your inimitable laugh to lift our spirits. As you depart on your “Seventh Freedom” to heaven, we salute you not only as a grand Canadian who served his country at home and abroad with dedication and distinction but also as a lovable fellow we admired and loved.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 20, No. 3 (2004) — Winter/Spring 2004 // Hiver/Printemps 2004, p. 25. Read the rest of this issue →
