I just learned of the passing of my dear friend, Shirley Johnson, wife of previously deceased husband, Les Johnson as their son called to notify me this Sunday morning. I was very saddened and shocked as I did not know Shirley was in any way that ill at this time. Apparently, it all happened very quickly. I had talked to Shirley a couple times not that long ago and she explained about one thing that was bothering her but as she said "I am hanging in their Paul and the kids have been very helpful to me." Shirley, Les and I go way back to when I was growing up as a youngster and husband Les was hired by my father as a chauffeur to look after me, taking me to and from school every day. All during those wonderful days, I eventually came to meet Shirley when my dad provided Leaf hockey tickets to them and had them take me and a friend to all the Leaf home games for a few years. Shirley was a great hockey fan and cheered the Leafs on every week when we all of us went to the Wednesday and Saturday Leaf home games. I remember some nights when the Leafs lost and on the drive home, Shirley would often point out and correctly so, why the Leafs got into Trouble that night. She really knew her hockey and we had lots of laughs together in those car rides both to and from the games.In those years and those drives to and from the games, I got to know her very well. Shirley was a wonderful, kind and caring lady to all that knew her and she took great care of husband Les when he started to go down hill.I remember talking to her on several occasions when Les started having his problems.She was his rock. In my last call with Shirley, we both agreed that once the winter started to clear up and the roads got better, I would come down and visit with her. Regrettably, that can't happen now and I am very sad about that. However now Shirley is out of her pain and in a better place.She has a lovely family and many friends who will give her a glorious send off on Wednesday.I will always remember the fun times that Shirley, Les and I had in those years. Shirley will be remembered by many and forgotten by none.