By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

UPDATE: B.C. man connects with long lost birth father in Red Deer

Feb 25, 2019 | 3:26 PM

There is good news to share regarding a B.C. man’s long-time search for his birth father.

Trevor Johnston, who is 56 and lives in Coquitlam, called rdnewsNOW saying he believed his biological father that he’s never met, Ross Smith, is alive and living in Red Deer.

Smith heard about the search from his nephew who read the story. He then called our newsroom Thursday to confirm he indeed is in Red Deer and is Johnston’s father.

The two had a heartwarming phone chat later that evening.

“It’s very exciting,” Johnston said Monday. “At one point we thought we may never find him. We thought we’re running out of time, and now it’s come to life and we’re over the moon excited.”

600 homes

Mayor clarifies cause of now-concluded boil water advisory for half of Penhold

18m ago

Sunday theft

Lacombe Police Service investigating two thefts at local arena

58m ago

Last seen Nov. 28

Located: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

Dec 14, 2025

 Johnston said Smith has been very receptive and that their chat went well right from the start.  

“It started with a bit of a pause, and then we just jumped right in shooting questions at each other and answering each other’s questions. It was good.”

Trevor says he’s coming to Red Deer next month to finally meet his father.

“He said ‘We’re having a big birthday party, why don’t you make it. Call me back when you tell me you’re coming.’ So I called him back and said we’re coming.”

Johnston was given up for adoption when he was born in Calgary in 1962. He connected with his birth mother about 18 years ago.