The Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association is scheduled to unveil a memorial bench in Nanaimo today honouring a former Prince George resident who was killed in an
explosion in Mexico.
On Nov. 14, 2010 Malcolm Johnson was a newlywed 33-year-old Nanaimo realtor when he became one of seven victims - five Canadians and two Mexicans - killed in an explosion caused by faulty gas pipes at the Grand Riviera Princess Resort in Playa del Carmen, south of
Cancun.
Johnson's mother Lynda Huolt, who lives in Prince George, said her family is pleased to hear about the dedication.
"It'll be a place where my grandchildren can sit when they're older and learn about what a good man their father was."
She said she didn't hear about the dedication ceremony in time to attend.
"We were just made aware of it a couple days ago, and we can't go. [But] his dad and I couldn't be more proud," Huolt said.
Johnson and Heather Pynten were married in Mexico and were also celebrating their daughter's first birthday. While there, the couple also conceived a second child - a boy.
"You never get over it, but you just have to make the best of it. We just take it one day at a time," Huolt said. "We have two
beautiful grandchildren."
Johnson's family moved to Prince George when he was in Grade 8. Johnson graduated from Prince George secondary school.
After high school, Johnson moved first to Vancouver and then to Vancouver Island, Huolt said.
"Malcolm was loved by everybody in Nanaimo. He got a lot of things done there," she said. "He had drive and he had ambition."
Johnson was a founding member of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, and was involved in the
Nanaimo City Centre Association and Downtown Nanaimo
Partnership Society.
The memorial bench will be unveiled in a public ceremony at 3:30 p.m., outside the Great National Land Building on Church Street in Nanaimo.
Downtown Nanaimo BIA president Shari Molchan said Johnson promoted downtown revitalization through his work and
volunteer efforts.
"He was passionate about the development and revitalization of downtown and was an advocate for getting stakeholder groups working together to help achieve that goal," Molchan said.
"His success... awakened many to believe in a re-energized vision of our downtown and he was proud that our downtown was well on its way to becoming the urban centre that it could be."
Rebecca Kirk, BIA planning design and development committee chairperson, said Johnson was an influential friend and fellow
volunteer.
"With his passion, but easy
going manner, he inspired many of us to turn our thoughts into action and join together to create the beautiful, vibrant downtown that is developing before our eyes," Kirk said.
"We still miss him, but this bench dedicated to his memory will be a place anyone can sit for a moment and view the downtown he loved."
Johnson is survived by his mother, stepfather William Huolt, younger brother Lance, widow Heather Pynten and two young children. Johnson's father, Malcolm Johnson Sr., died when Johnson was nine.
