By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Elwood Johnston was an 11-game winner for the Edwards Mustangs in the Kingston Baseball Association in 1966.

The next three seasons he was 5-5 with a 4.88 ERA, striking out 44 in 59 innings for the Kingston Ponies, before moving to Ottawa.

In 2000, he assisted in security for the Sydney Olympics.

Yet, the right-hander will be remembered most for something else. He coached Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman as a peewee. Larry Robertson and Johnston guided the Raiders to an Ontario championship with a 78-2 won-loss record and winning nine straight tournaments. That peewee team produced two players that became NHL captains: Dave Lowry and Yzerman.

They coached him in minor bantam. Then the coaches moved to midget, while Yzerman stayed at bantam. So he was a natural addition from the protected list.

One afternoon when I was living in Nepean, Johnston phoned the house asking, “Want to come see us play play tonight?”

So, off on the road we were ... a quick drive to the Cornwall Civic Centre and the second annual 1980 Air Canada midget championships. Robertson and Johnston coached the Nepean Rangers Ottawa District champions.

“We’re calling up ... and he’s going to be the best player on the ice,” Johnston said. Being the hockey expert I was, I thought to myself this might be a long night to see a guy get two or three shifts.”

Except the bantam was Yzerman. And he was the best player on the ice playing against players one and two years older. Twas a fun night.

We don’t remember who won that night. The Notre Dame Hounds beat the Quebec Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy in the final. Two players in the tourney -- Ron Francis of the Sault Ste. Marie Legion and Yzerman -- grew up to be Hall of Famers.

The others to reach the National Hockey League were Gary Leeman, Ron Hextall, Dean Evason, James Patrick, Gerard Gallant, Darren Pang, Brian Curran and Michel Petit.

We thought of that trip when we heard Johnston had lost his dear wife Kay. In 1978, my wife was in the Ottawa Civic Hospital about to give birth to our first child. There was zero worry on what HIS name would be: Robert, after my father.

Then, about 7:45 AM -- in hour 21 or 22 of labour -- it occurred to me that maybe we’d best come up with a girl’s name.

Kay and Elwood had a blonde daughter named Alicia. I’m sure I woke Elwood up when I called from the pay phone. I asked him to ask Kay if they didn’t mind answering a question.

“Just in case we have a baby girl, do you think I could steal your daughter’s name?”

Elwood, or Elmwood as his good friend Elwyn Watts, used to call him, said yes.

“Ah, could you tell me how you spell it?”

And within 40 minutes Alicia Mae Elliott arrived.

Deepest sympathies are extended to Alicia, her brother Craig, Elwood and the whole family.

The service will be held on Oct. 20 at Pilon Funeral Home in Arnprior. With the COVID situation only families may be allowed too attend. The service will be webcast and a fitting audio/visual tribute to Kay will be shown ...

Kathleen (Kay) Johnston (nee Normand)

January 9, 1947 - October 8, 2020

Kay Johnston died peacefully at the Civic Hospital on October 8, 2020 in her 74th year. She is survived by her loving husband Elwood of 53 years, her children Alicia Laberge (David), Craig Johnston and her grandchildren Jordana, Alexa and Xavier Laberge.

Kay also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Marcel Normand (Mary), Raymond Normand (Linda), her sisters Sally Normand, Jo Ann Normand (Bill). She was predeceased by her parents Beatrice Normand (Parisien), and Rosario Normand, as well as her brother Robert Normand (Sharilyn) and sister Norma Normand.

Kay was born in Kingston. She loved teaching children as a park supervisor in an underprivileged section of the city. The children loved her and often invited her to lunch in their homes even though they had little to share. Following her life’s ambition, she attended Peterborough Teachers College at the 18 years of age. She began her teaching career at Holy Family Catholic school in Kingston, a career that lasted 35 years.

In 1971 she moved to Ottawa and began teaching in the Ottawa Separate school board and later the Carleton Roman Catholic school board. She obtained her degree from Carleton University by attending night courses and several approved summer courses offered by the various boards.

Kay retired from teaching in 2000 after 35 years to join her husband who was posted to Australia for a year to assist in security for the 2000 Olympics. Within days of her arrival in Australia, she landed volunteer positions with the Sydney Hospital and the Sydney Museum (children’s section)

Most recently Kay resided in Arnprior. She loved the walking trails and the close-knit atmosphere of a small town. Kay loved golfing with her new buddies in Arnprior and they miss her dearly. She also loved participating in the seniors activities and in particular the yoga classes.

Of course, she continued to volunteer by delivering meals to shut-ins for the Seniors At Home program for almost eight years. She was also very generous in her support of numerous charities, namely Seniors at Home, Arnprior Food Bank, The Salvation Army, The Ottawa Mission, Red Cross and CHEO. She attended Saint John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date. At the request of the family, no flowers please. Donations to any of the charities mentioned above would be most appreciated. Condolences, tributes and donations can be made through Pilon Funeral Home in Arnprior.