Paul Johnson (philanthropist)
Encyclopedia
Paul Jolliffe Johnson, ONL
(1929 - ) businessman and philanthropist
born St. John's
Newfoundland
Canada
, son of Marjorie (Jolliffe) and Arthur Johnson. Educated Prince of Wales College
; King's College School, Windsor, Nova Scotia
; Mount Allison Academy; Mount Allison University
.
A Commerce graduate, Johnson became involved in many aspects of business in Newfoundland. Johnson assumed management of Johnson Insurance in 1953 and by 1990 was president and chief executive officer of Johnson Insurance Limited, Gulf-National Agencies, Unifund Assurance Company, Johnson Business Services Limited, Food Services Limited, Food Services Corporation Limited and Star Corporation Limited.
Active in community and service organizations, Johnson served as chairman of the Salvation Army
Advisory Board, receiving the Distinguished Service Order for his work. For 12 years he was chairman of the St. John's Housing Authority, a voluntary position, and was a founding member of the St. John's Heritage Foundation. Johnson was also chairman of the Gilbert Memorial Committee and a twenty-year member of the Rotary Club of St. John's.
In 1987 Paul had established the Johnson Family Foundation to support the preservation of heritage sites in the province and other charitable projects. Since that time, many major projects such as the development of "The Lookout" on Signal Hill
, the establishment of the Harbourside Park and Gilbert Memorial, the establishment of the Railway Coastal Museum
and the Geological Interpretation centre
, to name a few, have been realized. He is renowned for his Grand Concourse Authority
, a partnership which brought together the resources of the three levels of government and the university to beautify the capital region and showcase its spectacular heritage and natural assets.
An active member of The Joseph R. Smallwood Heritage Foundation, he was elected co-chairman in 1990.
In 2004, Johnson was one of the first nine Newfoundlanders awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
, considered the highest honour of the province.
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Instituted in 2001, when Lieutenant Governor Arthur Maxwell House granted Royal Assent to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Act, the order is administered by the...
(1929 - ) businessman and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
born St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, son of Marjorie (Jolliffe) and Arthur Johnson. Educated Prince of Wales College
Prince of Wales College
Prince of Wales College is a former university college, which was located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. PWC merged with St. Dunstan's University in 1969 to form the University of Prince Edward Island....
; King's College School, Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor is a town located in Hants County, Mainland Nova Scotia at the junction of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. It is the largest community in western Hants County with a 2001 population of 3,779 and was at one time the shire town of the county. The region encompassing present day Windsor was...
; Mount Allison Academy; Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
.
A Commerce graduate, Johnson became involved in many aspects of business in Newfoundland. Johnson assumed management of Johnson Insurance in 1953 and by 1990 was president and chief executive officer of Johnson Insurance Limited, Gulf-National Agencies, Unifund Assurance Company, Johnson Business Services Limited, Food Services Limited, Food Services Corporation Limited and Star Corporation Limited.
Active in community and service organizations, Johnson served as chairman of the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Advisory Board, receiving the Distinguished Service Order for his work. For 12 years he was chairman of the St. John's Housing Authority, a voluntary position, and was a founding member of the St. John's Heritage Foundation. Johnson was also chairman of the Gilbert Memorial Committee and a twenty-year member of the Rotary Club of St. John's.
In 1987 Paul had established the Johnson Family Foundation to support the preservation of heritage sites in the province and other charitable projects. Since that time, many major projects such as the development of "The Lookout" on Signal Hill
Signal Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador
Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Due to its strategic placement overlooking the harbour, fortifications have been placed on the hill since the mid 17th century.-History:...
, the establishment of the Harbourside Park and Gilbert Memorial, the establishment of the Railway Coastal Museum
Railway Coastal Museum
The Railway Coastal Museum is a transportation museum located in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is located in the historic Newfoundland Railway Station on Water Street and contains exhibits detailing the history of the Newfoundland Railway and the history of coastal water transportation in the...
and the Geological Interpretation centre
Johnson Geo Centre
The Johnson Geo Centre is a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland. Most of the centre is located underground, in an excavated glacial formation that shows the exposed bedrock of the hill...
, to name a few, have been realized. He is renowned for his Grand Concourse Authority
Grand Concourse (St. John's)
The Grand Concourse is an integrated walkway system for the cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl and the town of Paradise in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
, a partnership which brought together the resources of the three levels of government and the university to beautify the capital region and showcase its spectacular heritage and natural assets.
An active member of The Joseph R. Smallwood Heritage Foundation, he was elected co-chairman in 1990.
In 2004, Johnson was one of the first nine Newfoundlanders awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Instituted in 2001, when Lieutenant Governor Arthur Maxwell House granted Royal Assent to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Act, the order is administered by the...
, considered the highest honour of the province.