[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/johnston.jpg” caption=”Charles Johnston was given an Ontario Senior Achievement Award last week at a ceremony held at Queen’s Park.”]A professor emeritus in the Department of History has been given Ontario's highest honour for seniors.

Charles “Chuck” Johnston was given an Ontario Senior Achievement Award last week at a ceremony held at Queen's Park. The award, for “keeping history alive”, was in part a recognition of his tireless efforts spent researching and writing the biographies of all those listed on McMaster's World War Two honour roll.

Despite experiencing serious, degenerative vision problems after his retirement from McMaster, Johnston painstakingly tracked down papers, relatives and friends of the fallen in order to complete a body of work that truly displays his respect for Canadian soldiers.

“When I think of 'keeping history alive', Chuck's efforts come promptly to mind,” said Laura Escalante, an alumni officer with McMaster University who has worked closely with Johnston. “To him, history is much more than reviewing and repeating facts and figures. Chuck works to lend a personal face to the people involved in whichever era or area he is researching or teaching about, always breathing life into his work.”

In addition to his work with the McMaster honour roll, Johnston has also authored two books on McMaster University, chronicling the story of McMaster for generations of staff, faculty, students and alumni to enjoy.

“Despite the challenges he experiences, Dr. Johnston views life with a splendid and penetrating sense of humour,” wrote Jim Greenlee and Dick Rempel in their letter supporting Johnston's nomination for the award. “He is an accomplished academic and teacher and an excellent friend and supporter of McMaster University and education in general.”

The Ontario Senior Achievement Awards recognize the outstanding contributions that seniors make to their communities. Awards are given in a number of categories, including keeping history alive, arts/literature, volunteerism, education, environment/science, fitness/recreation and humanitarian activities.