Morrissey Johnson

Who was Morrissey Johnson?

Frederick Morrissey Johnson was a Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons. He was born in Little Catalina, Newfoundland and Labrador and became a business manager, businessman and master mariner by career.

Johnson studied at the Newfoundland College of Marine Navigation and the Newfoundland College of Fisheries. He served as president of Claymorr Shipping Ltd. and Johnson Combined Enterprises Ltd. and became a director of the Newfoundland Shipowner's Association. He was a maritime captain particularly in the seal hunting industry. Since protests and restrictions towards the seal hunt escalated, Johnson conducted his last sealing voyage in April 1983.

Johnson was first elected at the Bonavista—Trinity—Conception electoral district in the 1984 federal election, thus he served in the 33rd Canadian Parliament. He lost the riding in the 1988 federal election to Fred Mifflin of the Liberal party.

Since his departure from national politics, Johnson served as chair of the Atlantic Salmon Advisory Board. He was killed at age 70 in a motor vehicle collision with a moose near Lewisporte Junction. He had twelve children, two of whom with his second wife, Betty-Ann Johnson.