Photo: Facebook

Bruce Johnson, a longtime advocate for children and charities in the Penticton area and beyond, passed away Tuesday after a battle with cancer. 

A family member confirmed to Castanet that he passed among family Tuesday evening at the Moog and Friends Hospice, at 68 years old. 

The born-and-raised Pentictonite and Penticton High graduate was a former teacher, administrator, trustee and board chair of School District 67. Johnson served the community up until the most recent election, when he chose not to seek his trustee seat again. 

He is well-known for his vocal and ultimately successful fight against the closures of West Bench and Trout Creek Elementary schools in 2016. 

Outside of the school district, Johnson served as president of the South Okanagan Children's Charity and the Penticton Golf and Country Club.

He also volunteered for years with the Canadian Cancer Society, a personal cause because Johnson's son lost his life to cancer before adolescence. 

Current SD 67 trustee Tracy Van Raes reacted to the news on Facebook, writing "This man is 100 per cent the reason I am a trustee today. So humble. Always smiling. Forever kind."

Similar tributes attesting that Johnson will be missed and was much loved have been pouring in on Facebook all morning.