Former council chairman mourned
The late Johnny Johnston. - Credit: Archant
A POPULAR Portishead resident and former town council chairman, Johnny Johnston, died peacefully at his home on February 24.
Born in October 1924 in Birmingham, Johnny joined the war effort and became a navigator in Mosquito squadrons before resuming education at Bangor University where he read sciences and also met Nancy Daxon, who he married in 1950.
The couple, who have four children, Michael, Sarah, Amanda and Jonathan, lived in Cornwall, Dorset and Devon spending a number of years farming before Johnny changed his career to work in a Surrey science laboratory.
The family moved to Portishead in 1960 where Johnny took up a research position with the Central Electricity Generating Board at Portishead B Power Station.
He also became a member of Portishead Urban District Council, later called the town council, along with Nancy.
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Widowed in 1968, Johnny kept himself busy taking early retirement and establishing his own business supplying decorative terrazzo panels for floors and walls.
He has many commissions dotted around the country and one sits on the entrance floor of Parish Wharf Leisure Centre depicting the town crest.
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His involvement in local politics spanned many years, during which he was much involved in the early development of the regeneration of the power station site, now the marina.
Johnny served as chairman of Portishead Town Council in 1998/9, was an active member of Portishead in Bloom, designing the High Street carousels, and also on the committee of the Jubilee Day Care Centre.
Paying tribute to their father, his children said: “He was always an accommodating man. Family and friends were welcomed to the house at any time. Many a party was held there.
“He enjoyed painting, attending local classes and his culinary skills were well-noted, the legacy of scones turning-up at committee meetings will be well remembered.
“We are proud of his long involvement in Portishead.”
The funeral will be held at South Bristol Crematorium on Monday at 3pm and a reception will follow at Somerset Hall. Donations to St Peter’s Hospice can be made to Peter J Connell Funeral Directors.
