07/10/2017
I want to share this beautifully written tribute to Lori Johnson who worked tirelessly in helping the tourism industry here in northeastern Ontario. I didn't know her well, but met her several times at various tourism meetings and events. She even visited our lodge with her husband on their own time, which just proves that she really cared about us little guys. Please read:
It is with the greatest of sadness that we advise of the passing of Lori Johnson, Director of Community Services & Tourism for the Municipality of Wawa. Not only did Lori work with the greatest of passion for Wawa, she was, for many, many years, a very active member of the Board of Directors of Algoma Country. For those that had the privilege of knowing Lori, she was not born and raised in the North, but rather moved here, shortly after finishing college in southern Ontario. When she got the job in Wawa, she was interviewed over the phone and packed up everything she owned into her small compact car to move North. She had a map, as she didn't even know where Wawa was located. She fell in love with nature, Lake Superior, outdoor sports and the community she now called home. Lori met Doug after a few years. When they married Doug moved from his hometown to Wawa, where they would raise their daughter Kathleen and Doug would also become passionate for this town. You never saw Lori at a Sports Show without Doug and Kathleen, together they made a tourism team like no other. Many of us have watched Kathleen grow into a young woman that Lori was always so very proud of.
Lori was so passionate about tourism in Wawa and Algoma, and she always worked with a tenacity that was second to none. She never gave up. She never ceased to amaze everyone with her passion and quiet leadership. The new Wawa Goose is a testament of her tenacity and her unwillingness to give up.
Anyone that had the privilege to know Lori will always look at that Goose a little differently now.
Lori was a product development leader in tourism not just in the North but in the province. Some examples of successful programs that were developed with her as a leader were:
The very first branded snowmobile route in the province, the Superior Snow Challenge Loop,the Gramma Doors program, which so thoughtfully tell the history of Wawa and its residents in the park,and the Wawa Boondocking program which was brought to life through Lori and her leadership. This program rebranded Wawa sledding with a new twist, for backcountry sledders.
She was not afraid to be innovative or think outside the box, she was never nervous to try something new. With her leadership, Algoma produced the very first motorcycle map in the province of Ontario, when we re-branded to Algoma That Real, Lori knew that she wanted Wawa to be part of this great region in an even bigger way, so the Wawa brand was changed to Wawa, Real Algoma. A true testament to alignment in tourism. She led the Association through the development of our Business/Marketing Plan now in its final year, which saw this organization grow and develop even further. Algoma, through this plan, rebranded, and in true Lori fashion, she wanted to ensure that Wawa was part of the regional picture, just as she ensured that Algoma recognized themselves as an integral part of the tourism landscape in the province of Ontario. Lori saw the second phase of the Algoma motorcycle map, develop into a bi-national program that is called Ride Lake Superior.
Lori worked tirelessly for this Association, both in good times and during the transition of our Association in the early to mid 2000’s and was so proud of the organization that we are today. She never failed to always take time, although she was so very busy, to listen and offer thoughtful and intelligent ways to deal with all situations that arose. Lori was a leader in so many ways.
No matter what is written today it will never do justice to Lori. To those of us that had the privilege to work with Lori in the tourism industry, we know what an immeasurable loss this is. Lori’s touch will have a lasting positive impact and now when we think of her let’s make sure it drives us to make things even better. Let’s make sure that the light Lori created in tourism never dims.
The last few years with Lori’s struggle with cancer saw her never give up. She never lost hope and she, as always, was surrounded by the love and commitment of Doug and Kathleen. To Doug and Kathleen, we send our sincerest condolences, we are so very sorry for your loss.
Lori, you will be missed.
A celebration of Lori’s life is taking place in Wawa, on Tuesday July 11th at 11 am at the Michipicoten Community Centre banquet room. A fitting place to celebrate, as Lori spent countless hours every week at her office in the centre.
Thank you, on behalf of the Algoma Country Board of Directors and the Algoma Staff.
Heather Bot
Executive Assistant
Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association
334 Bay Street
Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 1X1 Canada
PH: 705.254.4293 FAX: 705.254.4892
algomacountry.com | [email protected]
Welcome to the Algoma region of Northern Ontario where fish are that big, touring routes are that epic, the landscape is that rugged.
