First Black trustee remembered

By RON FANFAIR

Roy "Chic" Johnston, the first African-Canadian trustee with the Toronto District School Board, is dead.

He passed away last Monday at the Humber River Regional Hospital. He was 82.

Johnston, the brother of the late Lennie Johnston who owned the defunct Third World Bookstore on Bathurst St., served as the Ward Three trustee from 1970-76.

He will however be best remembered for participating with other community members in the 1940s to protest discriminatory practices that Blacks faced at Palais Royale dance hall which refused to admit Black youths to its premises. Other protestors included good friend Wilson Brooks, who is now deceased, and Dr. Douglas Salmon.

"Roy represented a group of new 'turks' who stood up in a significant way and said we will not stand accommodation politics anymore," said historian Dr. Sheldon Taylor.

"He was definitely one of the unsung heroes in the community who made a huge mark. He had a love of history and love of community and will be dearly missed."

A World War Two veteran, Johnston served in England, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with the Air Observation Post attached to the Artillery.

On his return to Canada, he resumed his position as a toolmaker with the Gray Tool Company where he had started working in 1940 before heading off to the battlefield in 1942.

In 1970, Johnston was promoted to Tool Room Foreman, a position he held until his retirement in 1988.

Johnston, whose wife Minnie died two years ago, is survived by his children Randi, Gary, Debbie and Ron who plays base with Archie Alleyne's Kollage musical outfit.

Viewing will take place this afternoon (Thursday) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Turner & Porter Funeral Home, 436 Roncesvalles Ave (at Howard Park).

The funeral takes place tomorrow, Friday, 1 p.m. at the funeral home's chapel.