Richard “Dick” Johnston, December 29, 1941 – February 5, 2026
By John Swartz
Dr. Richard Johnston, Dick to many, died February 5 and while his family mourns his loss, many others in the wider community are also recognizing the contributions he made here, in the province and the country.
Dick was born in London, Ontario December 29, 1941 and came to Orillia in 1974 to open his obstetrics and gynecology practice following education and training at the University of Western Ontario and McMaster University. How does one know how many Orillians were delivered into his hands over a 45-year career, and said their first hello to him?
He probably had some joke or funny line ready for the occasion; Dick had a fantastic sense of humour, even when leading a serious charge for what is right.
He also prominently fought the Ontario government’s healthcare cutbacks in the mid 90s and in retirement was part of the Ontario Health Coalition working to stop privatization of medical services and restore proper funding.
In 2007, he led the Save Our Soldiers’ community group opposed to moves made by management and the board of Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, which led to a change in both the CEO and board chair positions. Dick was named Orillia’s Citizen of the Year for his effort.
His advocacy for better medical routines and practices started shortly after beginning practice in Orillia. He initialized perinatal rounds, helped to establish a fertility clinic, and his standardized order sets now apply to every hospital procedure across Canada.
He was the founding chair of the Ontario Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists a member of council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and received a lifetime membership of the Ontario Medical Association for his service.
His interests went beyond medicine. If you know of a community that has a Take A Vet to Dinner event each November, it is because of Dick. He created and lead with Lloyd Dennis Orillia’s first in Canada event. He also led the annual Sir John A Macdonald Dinner fundraising event, which over 20 years feature many famous Canadians as keynote speakers and from which the Orillia Museum of Art and History received more than $100,000 over the course of its run.
Aside from being named Citizen of the Year by the Packet and Times, the City awarded the Order of Orillia to him in 2002 and he was inducted into Orillia’s Hall of Fame in October 2025.
He also served on committees and boards of the Couchiching Conservancy, OMAH, the Leacock Medal for Humour, Mariposans for Refugees, St. Paul’s United Church, and was a member of the local chapter of Amnesty International. There were also many other worthwhile community initiatives Dick donated to, or would give advice to when asked.
“I’m overwhelmed by this,” Johnston said at the Hall of Fame ceremony. Johnston has never been known to take all the credit for any accolades. “There’s so many people that have contributed so much to this community.”
Dick was also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Saying Dick was good-natured or convivial is understatement. An observer would note laughter within minutes of his entering a room. That, more than anything will be missed. Good-bye Dick, and rest in the peace you deserve.
A Celebration of Life will take place at St. Paul’s United Church on Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. Donations to Mariposa House Hospice, St. Paul’s United Church, or Amnesty International.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia; image supplied) Main: Orillia Hall of Fame committee chair Chuck Penny, inductee Dick Johnston, and Orillia councillor Ralph Cipolla at the 2025 induction ceremony.
