We wanted to take Ellie to a very special park while we were back in Sackville. It is a park dedicated to a man who would have loved Ellie had they ever had a chance to meet.. Unfortunately they never did, having missed each other on this earth by about four years. Nonetheless, we took Ellie to a place named for her grandfather, the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park.

The park is a kids play area located in downtown Sackville, New Brunswick, and features many kids rides, swings, and two play sets.

The plaque reads:

The Bill Johnstone Memorial Park
Bill Johnstone
January 30, 1949 – January 14, 2001
This park is dedicated to the memory of Bill Johnstone, a life-long resident of Sackville. Bill attended school, married and raised his children here. He worked at his family grocery store and eventually took over the business from his father. Bill operated the store for twenty-six years.

Bill was known for his sense of humor, generosity, strong commitment to family, religious beliefs and his constant desire to help others. A strong supporter of Sackville’s youth, he not only contributed to many organizations and special events but often worked quietly behind the scenes.

Bill touched the lives of every resident of this area in one way or another in a positive manner, and because of him our community is a better place to live.

Thank you, Bill.

I plan to continue taking my kids there to play whenever we are in Sackville. Next year Adelaine will be old enough to get on a few of the playground sets, and someday they will be old enough to understand the significance of what this park means to me.