Memory Lane Railway Museum - Ron Johnson

[bear]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Ron Johnson, the fellow who started the Memory Lane Railway Museum in Middleton, with the collection of D.A.R. memorabilia, has passed away. He left us on September 10th, 2010. His memorial service will be held in our newly re-furbished Freight Shed located at the rear of the museum on Friday, Sept. 17/2010 at 2 pm.

Ron was a great advocate for people with special needs, and provided them an opportunity for therapeutic employment at the old Middleton Train Station. It turned into a museum only because people would drop in to see what was happening and donate items to put on display. The museum has now been in existence for 18 years. We will continue to operate the museum, through Future View's Board of Directors. If any of you railway enthusiasts would like to get involved, please contact: Janet Kroetch, Vice Chair at 902-825-0526.

[Evangelineroute]

Thank you for the information, Janet,

Terry introduced me to Mr. Johnson during my last visit to the Museum in June 2009. Please pass on our condolences to his Family and our Friends at the Station.


H Fred Deakin

[bear]

Thank you, Fred. I will pass on your condolences. It's unfortunate that our first function in the newly renovated freight shed, will be Ron's memorial service.

Janet

[Evangelineroute]

Janet,

Mr. Johnson's service might be a quite-fitting first function for the renovated space.

Fred

[stem]

Thanks very much for keeping us us up to date with all the messages on all the forums Janet. We are certainly sad to hear of Ron's passing. I regret never having met the gentleman but his legacy is first and foremost the clients (his "kids") he supported and gave direction to at the museum. Notwithstanding his local community legacy, the contribution the museum has made to DAR preservation is paramount too in the province.

It would be fitting to name something after him. Perhaps the renovated storage shed could be called the Ron Johnson Community Center or the apartments (when they're done) could be named the Ron Johnson Block.

[bear]

Yes, Fred. It was quite fitting to have Ron's memorial as the first official function for the Railway Shed. Approximately 144 people attended the service.

I will try to post photos of the newly renovated shed to our facebook page (Memory Lane Railway Museum). Just do a search on facebook and the site contains some info. and pics of the museum interior. I will try to get more done in the coming months.

We will also be naming either the freight shed or the apts. (if we succeed with getting them built) in Ron's name. He did so much for so many. His service was lovely and we showed the 5 min. dvd piece that Wayne Rostad of CBC's "On the Road Again", did as his last segment of his last show. It was all about the station and the people they've helped over the past 18 years. Lots of tears. He will be missed dearly.
I fear that if we don't find others like him to take over, things may not work out too well for our little museum. I will do my best to keep the project afloat, but would love to have some others help me out. There is a lot of operational work to be done, which doesn't even include looking after the building and artefacts. My initial interest in the museum was that it helped those with special needs and I have a son with autism who absolutely LOVES
trains. That being said, I am a stay at home mom who has not been staying home tdue to an overload of museum work. I love what I'm doing but it is exhausting for one person. Please if anyone is interested in helping out, it would be greatly appreciated. I want to see this place survive not only because of the DAR but that it is a lovely little station that coulc easily fall apart without a little TLC.

[hollyhanes]

So sorry to hear about his death My daughter Holly and I stopped in last summer... and hoped to get back this coming summer we were late getting there but they stayed open for us to look .... I would love to have a copy of the on the road again show if you have it .... I missed it
Heather
hanesh@live.com

[briantrainman]

Check out YouTube for the Wayne Rostad piece. Brian