Thomas Jens Johannsen

1933 - 2021

After a long struggle with heart and kidney disease, Tom Johannsen left this world surrounded by his loving family. He was at peace after having lived a long and productive life filled with loving family and good friends. His kind, patient, calm, determined, and generous spirit will be much missed.

Tom came to Canada in 1955, calling it the best decision of his life. He valued the principles and opportunities that this country offered.

After various positions in sales, he embraced the excitement of the emerging plastics industry of the early 1960s. He was responsible for introducing the new concept of Airex foam cored fiberglass sandwich construction to the North American boat building industry and was generally known as "Mr. Airex." After years of importing and distributing the foam on this continent, he and his wife Karin and their partners in Quebec founded ATC Chemicals, where they developed and manufactured Core-Cell foam as well as several bonding materials. His long-standing efforts significantly advanced the industry, as did his technical books and manuals. Tom travelled tirelessly to boatbuilders in many countries, teaching and advising on how to best use this new technology.

He was an active dinghy racer, and a member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club for 55 years, where he organized many regattas, and brought people together in programs designed for those who did not own boats but simply enjoyed racing. He also loved hiking in the woods, attending the symphony and choral concerts, listening to favorite composers like Bach and reading a good novel or biography.

Tom's philosophy in business as in all other aspects of his life was "Tell the truth and you'll be fine."

Tom is leaving his wife Karin, his children Andre Beese (Daniela), Tania and Christopher, grandchildren Maximilian Beese and Madeleine Beese, his brothers Uwe (Christa), and Volker (Brigitte) and their children.

The family thanks the caring staff at the Peter Munk

Cardiac Centre at Toronto General Hospital and the Cardiology and Nephrology departments at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. A get together to honor his life will be held at a safe time in the future. You might consider a donation in his name to douglasswrightfoundation.ca or to a charity of your choice.