MOOSE JAW - Gordon (Gord) Johnson, a long-time tour guide with exceptional knowledge of Moose Jaw’s history, is this year’s recipient of the Lois Boyle Excellence in Community Service Award.
The Friends of the Forces Fellowship presented Johnson with the award during its volunteer and sponsor appreciation night at the social centre at 15 Wing Air Base on Oct. 10.
Lois Boyle, administrative assistant to base commander Col. O.B. Philp and co-ordinator of the naming contest for the Snowbirds, mentored student pilots and members of the aerobatics team and became known as “The Mother of the Snowbirds.” She died on Jan. 5, 2012.
Beginning in 2014, the fellowship began issuing community service awards to people in Moose Jaw and 15 Wing and named the award after Boyle because she loved the city and the base.
Unlike most award recipients, Johnson knew Boyle personally because he has been a bus tour operator for more than three decades and was allowed to bring visitors to the base.
“This is a total surprise … to say the least,” Johnson said after receiving the award, jokingly noting that he would keep his remarks short since he wasn’t giving a bus tour. “(Boyle) was just one fantastic lady, to say the least. What she brought to this base was unparalleled.”
Johnson was a teacher at King George School in the early 1990s and recalled that the base faced closure, which prompted an outpouring of support from people at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. He recalled that even students and staff went outside to show support for the beleaguered base.
“So that saved the day for us … ,” he said.
Johnson added that, as a tour guide, he had access to high-profile astronauts who trained at 15 Wing, such as Christ Hadfield and Julie Payette, the latter becoming Canada’s 29th governor general.
Nomination biography
According to the nomination backgrounder, Johnson is known as Moose Jaw’s most engaged tourism guide, greeting tourists as a step-on guide or organizing tours upon request. Furthermore, many travel companies rely on him to arrange activities and sightseeing events.
In past years, Johnson’s tours have included visits to 15 Wing, including the Snowbirds’ hangar, and luncheon meetings where military guest speakers and community leaders talk about the city, the base and the important role the military plays in Moose Jaw.
“Gord consistently is motivated to include both civilian and military assets in his tour packages and for many years was the exclusive tour guide allowed to bring tours onto 15 Wing,” the nomination document said.
“Tour guests were continually amazed at the facilities at 15 Wing and were especially excited to come so close to their beloved Snowbirds.”
One highlight of Johnson’s career was being chosen as the step-on tour guide during Prince Edward’s visit in 2003, and while it was a short trip, when it finished, the Royal dignitary knew much more about Moose Jaw and 15 Wing Air Base.
Moreover, due to his dedication to the tourism industry, Johnson has won several awards and was named an ambassador for the city.
Meanwhile, Johnson is a member of several community organizations, including the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum, where he provides information about the famous ship and the John Diefenbaker House that crews moved there in 2004 after Regina’s Wascana Park Authority threatened to demolish it.
Furthermore, Johnson was an early member of the 15 Wing Fellowship group, which later became Friends of the Forces Fellowship. He was made an honorary member and continues to support the organization’s projects, including the Musical Revue and Highway to Heroes Car Show.
“He (also) loves to travel and has a favourite companion on forays into small-town Saskatchewan, where the conversation flows freely and at length,” the document added.
