A Charles Johnston

Johnston, Charles Longtime Troy resident Charles Johnston passed away on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023. Charlie was born in Detroit, MI on April 6th, 1939, to George and Elsie Johnston. Charlie grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan where his passion for sailing developed on Lake St. Claire. His zeal for learning and architecture began at the University of Michigan where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning in 1963. Charlie was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was involved in many social and academic activities during his time in Ann Arbor. Charlie began his career in architecture in 1967 as the COO/Director of Design at ODL Architects. Charlie went on to establish his own firm, MAS and Associates, specializing in modern healthcare architecture in 1980. It succeeded and grew and was renamed Trinty Design and was later acquired by HKS Architects in 2006 where he finished out his distinguished career as the consulting principal architect in the Detroit office. Charlie was a visionary in healthcare architecture desiring to mesh aesthetics, practicality, and accessibility into his designs located all over Michigan, the Midwest, and the Middle East. Charlie loved the Great Lakes and sailing, and he imparted that passion to his children. He was an accomplished sailor with double-digit Mackinaw races under his belt and hundreds of hours cruising the Great Lakes with his family and friends. Charlie was a loving and proud father, enriching his children’s lives by being their long-time soccer coach and sailing mentor. He reveled in hand-making props for the Halloween costumes they would devise together. He was involved in Indian Princes/Princesses, Boy Scouts, and the many social and athletic activities that his children took part in. Charlie’s grandchildren gave him immense joy as he saw them grow up into fine men and women, especially when they shared their life’s adventures with him. Charlie’s close group of friends were the best friends one could ask for and their friendship and escapades have been epic and spanned decades. Despite his health difficulties, Charlie was determined not to let those difficulties define who he was or how he lived his life. Charlie strived to be a part of his children’s, grandchildren’s, and friends’ lives, making trips across the state to attend birthdays, sporting events, plays, and to just spend some quality time with them. Mr. Johnston is survived by his children, Jeffrey Johnston, Hillary Johnston, and Leigh Johnston; grandchildren, Katherine (Tyler) Hanks, Michael, Benjamin, and Madeleine Johnston; his sister Patty; and her children Peter (Thaysa) Ehrnstrom, Julie (Peter) Kozma, Kristen (Mark) Freund, and Greg (Colleen) Ehrnstrom. Celebration of Life, Friday, October 20, 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, 788 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe, MI Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so at one of the following websites that Charlie supported. American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/ Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/alumni/giving/ .

A Charles Johnston

April 6, 1939 - September 13, 2023