Johnny Nylund

Richard John (Johnny) Nylund passed away suddenly from congestive heart failure at his home on September 17th, 2020. Johnny leaves behind his wife Marie, children Leo (Shelley), Nancy-Lee (Bill) and Guy (Hannah), and grandchildren Clayton Nylund and Ruby Nylund. He is also survived by his brother George Nylund and sister Eleanor Davidson and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Johnny was born in Calgary and raised at Square Butte. He attended Square Butte school, riding a horse 2 miles to school each day, along with his siblings. He enjoyed the country life, acquiring practical skills of ranch life, livestock management and a hard work ethic. Johnny gained excellent horsemanship skills, having spent countless hours on horseback while hunting, chasing wild horses or simply enjoying exploring the country west of Millarville. For many years he worked for John & Isamay Ballachey at the Chinook Ranch at Square Butte. He and his wife Marie and son Leo lived at the ranch for four years before moving to Lake Louise, where Johnny had accepted a job with Parks Canada on Trail Crew, a job that took him and his horses over many backcountry trails and mountain passes in Banff National Park. He also worked his winters as a Snow Cat operator at the Lake Louise ski hill and later as a speed plow operator on Highway 93 North for Parks Canada. He accepted a position as Banff Barn Boss in 1977. He was a skilled horseman, and horses loved him. He also took care of the Buffalo Paddock herd and enjoyed seeing the newborn calves arrive each spring. He always said, "I have the best job in the park!" In 1996 an opportunity came up to manage the Ya Ha Tinda ranch. He and Marie moved to the ranch and remained there for seven years. Johnny's time at the Ya Ha Tinda was the highlight of his career with Parks Canada. He took great pride in the ranch and managed it as if the ranch was his own personal place. And again, he loved to see the newborn foals each spring. He retired in 2003 after 30 years with Parks Canada. He and Marie purchased an acreage near Bergen, which they enjoyed for 14 years. Johnny liked to build with logs and had helped to build several log cabins for the backcountry of Banff Park as well as his own log cabin and Barn at Water Valley. After retirement, he built several logs beds and log coffee tables for family and friends. Johnny and Marie moved to Turner Valley in the summer of 2017. This move put him back into the beautiful country of his youth, and he enjoyed many drives to Square Butte, Junction Creek, and the Highwood reminiscing about the many experiences of days gone by. Johnny's wishes are that he be cremated and he ashes spread at a special place west of Millarville. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank the Turner Valley EMS, Fire Department, Doctors Brian Doran and Tristan Hembroff, staff of the Oilfields General Hospital, Cardiologist Dr. Xi Zhao. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to STARS Air Ambulance, The Alberta Children's Hospital.