Paul Johnson (philanthropist)
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Paul Jolliffe Johnson, ONL (1929 - ) businessman and philanthropist born St. John's Newfoundland Canada, son of Mary (Jolliffe) and Arthur Johnson. Educated Prince of Wales College; King's College School, Windsor, Nova Scotia; Mount Allison Academy; Mount Allison University.
A Commerce graduated, 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 bought 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.
[edit] Order of Newfoundland
The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest honour of the province. On June 16, 2004 Paul Johnson along with 8 other distinguished Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans was recognize for their excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an outstanding manner Newfoundland and Labrador and its residents. They were the first investiture into the Order.
At a formal ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, as Chancellor of the Order, presented each recipient with a medal bearing the shield of Newfoundland and Labrador surmounted by the Crown. Each member received a certificate signed by the Chancellor and sealed with the seal of the Order, as well as a lapel pin. The medal is worn with a blue, green, white and gold ribbon. Members of the Order are entitled to use the initials O.N.L. after their names.
