Billy Johnston of the much-discussed West End Gang bank robbery clan has died of cancer at age 84.
The Bishop, as he was known, died just weeks after his brother Abey on April 26.
Brother Stevie - who was involved in a famous Vancouver safety deposit box robbery - died last fall.
The most famous of the clan was brother Eddie Johnston who was goaltender for the Boston Bruins and good friends with Bobby Orr, who came to town for Abie's funeral recently.
Billy long held court in a little office above the war amps office on lower Stanley in the early 80s where he'd meet with bikers and the Matticks brothers, whom he was close to.
Johnston kept a relatively low profile with the exception of one story: he once apparently tried to shoot fellow-tough guy Martin Rowland in a bar with a shotgun but the gun jammed and the victim ended up getting shot in the stomach and survived.
Johnston was involved in a shootout with police in 1969 when cops chased his car in a cigarette heist at the Old Port. He was with another longshoremen, as well as John Slawvey and James MacDonald.
MacDonald was later shot dead by West End Gang assassins in the Cat's Den on Guy, some believe because they worried MacDonald would squeal.
Another story has the brothers - not sure which - getting revenge on a lunatic who shot and killed an innocent barmaid in St. Sauveur or some place. The brothers arranged to hire killers to have that gunman killed. Cops found his body in the trunk of a car.
One anecdote has Billy Johnston quite unapologetic about his wayward ways:
"An agent walks through the lobby of a hotel in Montreal and spots Billy Johnston. "Good to see you, Billy," the agent says. "What are you doing these days?" Billy Johnston looks at him stone-faced and in a matter-of-fact monotone says: "Bank robber, retired."
According to one acquaintance Billy "seemed to always be extremely serious and brooding. Had an element of danger about him. It was common knowledge he was not to be screwed with."
Several of the Johnston brothers worked long careers for Otis elevators and many were known for having a passion for golf. Any other tips, photos, etc welcome megaforce@gmail.com
The Bishop, as he was known, died just weeks after his brother Abey on April 26.
Brother Stevie - who was involved in a famous Vancouver safety deposit box robbery - died last fall.
The most famous of the clan was brother Eddie Johnston who was goaltender for the Boston Bruins and good friends with Bobby Orr, who came to town for Abie's funeral recently.
Billy long held court in a little office above the war amps office on lower Stanley in the early 80s where he'd meet with bikers and the Matticks brothers, whom he was close to.
Johnston kept a relatively low profile with the exception of one story: he once apparently tried to shoot fellow-tough guy Martin Rowland in a bar with a shotgun but the gun jammed and the victim ended up getting shot in the stomach and survived.
Johnston was involved in a shootout with police in 1969 when cops chased his car in a cigarette heist at the Old Port. He was with another longshoremen, as well as John Slawvey and James MacDonald.
MacDonald was later shot dead by West End Gang assassins in the Cat's Den on Guy, some believe because they worried MacDonald would squeal.
Another story has the brothers - not sure which - getting revenge on a lunatic who shot and killed an innocent barmaid in St. Sauveur or some place. The brothers arranged to hire killers to have that gunman killed. Cops found his body in the trunk of a car.
One anecdote has Billy Johnston quite unapologetic about his wayward ways:
"An agent walks through the lobby of a hotel in Montreal and spots Billy Johnston. "Good to see you, Billy," the agent says. "What are you doing these days?" Billy Johnston looks at him stone-faced and in a matter-of-fact monotone says: "Bank robber, retired."
According to one acquaintance Billy "seemed to always be extremely serious and brooding. Had an element of danger about him. It was common knowledge he was not to be screwed with."
Several of the Johnston brothers worked long careers for Otis elevators and many were known for having a passion for golf. Any other tips, photos, etc welcome megaforce@gmail.com
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