April 7, 2025
In Loving Memory ~
Les Johnson—a proud Freeman of the City, multi-time Volunteer of the Year, and tireless champion of community life in Grand Forks—passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy woven with creativity, compassion, and an unshakable dedication to the people and stories of Grand Forks.
Les is lovingly remembered by his wife Lorraine, his brother Darrell, sister Leona (Joe), daughters Lexie and Christine, son Matthew (Andrea), niece and nephew Sarah and Andrew, and his cherished grandchildren Cora, Stella, Rylee and Kailyn—each of whom he spoke about with that unmistakable Les-style pride and eyes that sparkled when he shared their stories. He was predeceased by his first wife, Laurel, and his brother, Howard.
To know Les was to be drawn into his orbit of curiosity, kindness, and boundless energy. A beloved figure around Grand Forks since moving from Winnipeg, by way of Vancouver, he was the kind of man who made every room brighter and every event more memorable. As co-founder of GFTV, a dedicated member of the Writer's Guild, and the Boundary Historical Society, Les documented the life of this city with a camera in hand and a purpose in his heart. From city council meetings and Border Bruins games to the Grand Forks International and quiet community gatherings, Les captured it all—one frame, one story, one heartbeat at a time.
In conversation, Les had a way of pulling you in. He'd start with his signature line: "Well, here's the thing..." and that's when you really began to listen. Known for his sharp logic, deep empathy, and never-ending creativity, he could inspire, console, and challenge—all in the same breath. He liked to call himself a round peg in a square hole, and maybe he was. But that's exactly what made him irreplaceable. His character was limitless, having touched many lives with his authenticity, humour and desire to make the world just a little bit better today than it was yesterday.
He often signed off with a warm, philosophical "C'est la vie"—a reminder that he embraced life in all its messy, magical wonder. And embrace it he did, leaving behind a community more connected, more thoughtful, and more beautifully documented than he found it.
Les will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy lives on in hours of footage, hundreds of photographs, and countless memories shared across kitchen tables, park benches, and online archives. He left this world the same way he lived in it—full of passion, ideas, and a slightly suspicious number of wires and gadgets in his bag.
A celebration of Les's life will be held in Grand Forks, BC on his birthday, July 17. Further details to follow.
Here's to Les Johnson: a man with a heart of gold, a mind like a supercomputer, and a soul forever tuned into the rhythm of his community.
In lieu of flowers we kindly ask to place a donation in his memory with Liver Canada at www.liver.ca or 1-800-563-5483