Remembering Liam Johnston
Liam was 27 years old and raised by his father, mother, and stepdad in Waterloo, Ontario with his Brother and Sister. Liam first moved to Calgary in 2017. He fell in love with the city and the mountains at his backdoor. Liam was adventurous, kind, compassionate, smart, and motivated - to name a few! He loved deeply and thoughtfully and everyone that knew him received that love. Liam was passionate about music, video games, Star Wars, his family, and of course, plumbing.
Liam loved all the different genres of music. Some of his favorite artists were Mac Miller, City and Colour, and Alexisonfire.
Liam first began playing the guitar in his youth. He was inspired to learn music by his stepdad, Adam. He later learned the piano and lo-fi style music creation. Liam posted some of his favorite lo-fi creations under the pseudonym “OTG” on youtube - linked below! He was incredibly talented and it would mean the world to him for people to listen to his music.
Liam and Emily
Liam and his girlfriend, Emily, were living together since January of 2023. The two met in August of 2021 while both working at Mr. Mike’s Plumbing. Emily was an office employee at the time. Their friendship blossomed with an instant connection.
They fell in love in August 2022 and began planning a life together. They shared two cats, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Obi) and Nugget (Nug), and had plans to get a dog, get married, start a family, and own a home. Growing up Liam loved the movie “UP” and his mom, Kim, says he always wanted to find his “UP” girl and she feels that he finally got that with Emily.
Emily has the goal of helping young apprentices like Liam by telling his story and making sure they have a voice.
Liam wrote Emily a poem that goes along with his song on youtube (see link above!), “Solar Eclipse”. The poem was beautifully written and has helped both Emily and Liam’s family get through this tough time.
“Darkness engulfs your earth as the moon eclipses your sun
Your burdens on your shoulders weigh more than a tonne
But this too shall pass
Like light through stained glass
Illuminating your space in beauty and colour
A place only you can retreat to like no other”
Adam - Liam’s stepfather, Liam, Toria - Liam’s sister, and Kim - Liam’s mom.
Liam’s dad - Jim, and Liam at Lake Louise when Jim visited Liam in Calgary!
Liam and his brother, Connor. Some of their best memories were spent at the family cottage swimming in the lake and rowing their row boat, piglet!
Liam and one of his best friends, Bobby! The two were best friends since they were 13 years old and moved to Calgary together. They went through thick and thin together and considered each other like brothers.
Liam and another one of his best friends, Isaac. Liam could always count on Isaac to make him laugh - even in moments that he maybe didn’t want to!
Connor, Toria, and Liam posing for a sibling pic!
Liam wearing his Christmas gift from Emily! Liam got his love of Star Wars from his father, Jim. Liam, Jim, and Connor bonded over Star Wars through Connor and Liam’s childhood and adulthood!
Liam and his beautiful blue eyes and happy smile. This is one of Kim’s favourite childhood photos of Liam!
Liam and his teenage antics. Liam is jumping off the roof of Guitar Corner, the guitar store he worked at in Ontario!
Emily and Liam, and two of their best friends - Thomas and Sam - at a Calgary Flames game. Go flames!
Liam on April 16, 2023 - his 27th birthday <3
Liam with Emily’s sisters - Olivia, Sophie, and Poppy. Liam was close with Emily’s family and they are feeling this loss along side her.
Liam and Emily with her sisters!