Johnstone, Ian H.

Dr. Ian Haviland Johnstone, 89, passed away on February 20, 2023.

Born on January 9, 1934, he was the youngest of five children to Charles and Robina (Haviland) Johnstone of Chatham, New Brunswick (NB). There he developed his love of music and ice hockey. He studied music with his mother, the church organist in Douglestown, NB. He entered Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, at the age of 16, where he studied organ performance and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. After graduation he moved to Toronto, where he furthered his musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

In 1955, Ian married Evelyn Hope Adamson of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and they moved to Redlands, California, where he completed a master’s degree in music. Ian also taught elementary school and general music in the public schools, organ and music theory at San Bernardino Valley College, and was the organist at Trinity Episcopal Church for six years. During summer vacations, Ian began taking courses at the University of Oregon in Eugene and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1972.

In 1972 Dr. Johnstone accepted a tenure track teaching position at Bridgewater State College. During his time there, he served as the chair of the Music Department and was a vibrant part of the Bridgewater State community. Ian served as the organist and Evelyn the choir director at Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater for 12 years. Evelyn passed from cancer in 1983.

In 1984, Ian married Dr. Ruth McLain, a medical oncologist and the founder and longtime medical director of Old Colony Hospice. They loved world-wide travel, museums, theatre, Boston Symphony concerts, and attending New York Metropolitan Operas. They also enjoyed watching ice hockey and baseball games.

Since 2002, Ian was a Master Mason with the Blue Hill Lodge in Stoughton and he was also affiliated with the Phoenix Lodge in Hanover. The brotherhood that he shared with his fellow Freemasons was very important to him and played an integral role in his life.

Ian is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruth McLain Johnstone, his daughter Heather (Johnstone) Madnick, her husband, Howard Madnick, and their two sons, Benjamin and Harrison Madnick. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Lavonne (Adamson) Thompson of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, as well as his many beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 1508 Washington Street in Canton, on Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Masonic Blue Hill Lodge by contacting secretary@bluehilllodge.org or Old Colony Hospice at oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 2 2023. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.