Richard P. Johnson

Richard Paul Johnson passed on May 5, 2015, at William Hill Gardens in Easton, MD. He was 95. Richard was born on May 31, 1919 in Elizabeth, NJ. He was the son of the late Winifred Tansey Johnson of Leominster, MA, and James Francis Johnson, of Oswego, NY. Mr. Johnson graduated from the Newark College of Engineering, now known as New Jersey Institute of Technology, in 1941. He was recruited by the Navy to study naval architecture and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He studied naval architecture in a Post graduate program at the US Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1942. He served during World War II at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Naval Base San Diego, CA, as an engineer inspecting war torn ships in preparation for repairs, also worked in new construction, maintenance and supply. He continued to serve his country during the Korean War at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He remained in the Naval Reserves and retired as a Commander in 1979. He was employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division from 1954 until he retired in 1981. He was a member of the City of Norwich, CT, Personnel & Pension Board from 1966 - 1973, including four years as Chairman. He volunteered with AARP doing taxes for seniors from 1982 - 1990. He and his wife had a craft business for ten years; she painted and he made the frames, and together they planted and cared for the flowers that went into the pictures. Richard is survived by Geraldine, his wife of 71 years; and four children, Maureen (TX), Brian (NC), Regina (VA) and Eileen (MD); his older sister, Mary (NJ); two grandchildren; and his extended family in the Leominster area of Massachusetts. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Easton. A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 10, from 2-4 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., Easton. Interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20004 or to the Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, SD 57770. He is much loved and will be missed.

Richard P. Johnson

May 31, 1919 - May 5, 2015