By Joel Goldenberg
Those involved with the Montreal Highland Games and Festival are mourning the loss of their longtime president Kirk Johnstone, who died Sept. 24, after a battle with cancer, at the age of 64.
A statement from the Montreal Highland Games and Festival refers to Johnstone as a “stalwart pillar of the greater Montreal Scottish community” who “will be missed by scores of pipers, drummers, Highland dancers and others across the country and beyond.”
According to the release, Johnstone was “Pipe-Major of the 306 Wing Air Force Association Pipe Band, 401 Squadron Pipes & Drums, Pipe-Sergeant with The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada Pipes & Drums, piper with 401 Squadron Pipe Band, 438 THS Band, Clan Sutherland, City of St. Laurent Pipe Band, City of Toronto Pipe Band and 78th Fraser Highlanders (Montreal).
Johnstone was also a “founding member and first president of the Quebec Piping & Drumming Society, a founding member of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s Ottawa branch, a council member of the Saint Andrew’s Society of Montreal, a member of the Quebec Thistle Council, piper at Ogilvy’s department store and a regular piper for Montreal Highland dancing competitions.
“He was a piping teacher of many students over the years, and created businesses in the manufacturing of pipe chanter reeds, hose for pipe bands, and other pipe band accoutrements.”
Johnstone’s funeral was held yesterday, Oct. 1 at Transfiguration of Our Lord in Cartierville.
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