Longtime racing participant Dan Johnson of Essex, Ont. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and in the arms of his loving wife after a courageous but short battle with cancer, on October 3, 2010

at the age of 51.

Johnson is survived by his loving wife, Linda, and twins Megan Lynn and Chelsea Rae of Essex. Formerly of R.R. #5 Wallaceburg, Johnson is mourned deeply by his parents, Daniel and Cherie Johnson of London, Ontario and his mother-in-law Agnes Eyraud of Essex, Ontario. Dan leaves his brother David and wife Jennifer Johnson of Delaware, sisters Alice and husband Michael Whitson of Brantford and Catherine and husband Gino Falzone of Richmond Hill. He will be sadly missed by sisters-in-law, Cathy Burling of Waterdown, Bev and husband Rick Bonneau, and brothers-in-law Don and wife Deb Eyraud of Essex and Ed Eyraud and Leola Matthews of Windsor. Proud Uncle of cherished nieces and nephews -- Alisha, Daniel, Samuel and Haley Johnson, Andrew and Jillian Whitson, Nicole, Matthew and Michael Falzone, Chris, Rob and Matt Burling , Jenn, Stephanie and Ashley Bonneau, Ryan and Dillon Eyraud and Andrea and Alyssa Eyraud. He leaves behind aunts and uncles and many cousins in Canada and special cousins “Auntie Maureen and Uncle Ronnie” and family in England.

Dan was a loving son, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. His entrepreneurial spirit led to business ventures in Dresden and Chatham-Kent and he worked for many years with his father and brother in the family business -- JTO Trenching. Dan was an active member of the harness racing community in Southwestern Ontario for many years as an owner, trainer and driver and was a member of the Dresden Agriculture Society. He has touched many lives throughout his lifetime and his wonderful smile will shine brightly in our hearts forever. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Lori Bachynski and the exceptional nurses on the 4th Floor of the Windsor Regional Hospital for the excellent care and support.

Donations are gladly accepted to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (480 University Avenue, Suite 1502, Toronto, ON M5G 1V2), Autism Society of Windsor & Essex County (Gino Marcus Centre-1168 Drouillard Rd. Windsor, Ontario N8Y 2R1) or the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre (2220 Kildare Rd. Windsor, ON N8W 2X3).

Visitations are slated for 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Kennedy Funeral Home, Essex, Ont and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 7 at Holy Name of Jesus Church with the service to follow.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dan Johnson.