SOUTHWICK – Howard Charles Johnson passed away at home on October 17, at the age of 94. (1924-2019) He was born in Westfield and raised in Southwick by his parents, Edward and Bessie Johnson. He was a mechanic for many years including working at Prifti Motors in Southwick. He worked in construction at Anderson Construction in Southwick, then Gladwin and Lane and Punderson Oil in Westfield before retiring in 1989. He was a volunteer for the Southwick Fire Department for 13 years, becoming a Captain. He was a lifetime dedicated member at the Christ Church Methodist in Southwick. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and especially woodworking. He also enjoyed his yearly trips to Maine to visit with family and get his fill of lobster. He celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at Roma’s Pizza in Southwick last September with 40 family and friends attending. He leaves his wife of 71 years, Mabel (Emerson) Johnson of Southwick, his son Ed and his wife Sue of Southwick, his daughter Judy Murphy of Montgomery and his son Paul and his wife Jill of South Carolina. He also leaves his grandchildren, Marissa Sharkey of Montgomery, Timothy Wolcott of Montgomery, Felicia Murphy and her fiancé Timothy D’Astous of Chester, Kevin Johnson and his wife Megan of Georgia, Austin Johnson of Texas, his great granddaughter Reese Johnson of Georgia, his brother Philip Johnson of Connecticut and several nieces and nephews and many close friends.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and aides from hospice, especially Amy Cherry-Hathaway, whom he adored.
The Calling hours will be at Firtion Adams, 76 Broad St. Westfield on November 1st from 4-7PM with a service to celebrate his life on Saturday, November 2nd at 10AM in Christ Church Methodist, 222 College Highway, Southwick. Burial will follow the service in New Cemetery, College Highway, Southwick. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Baystate Hospice, 30 Capital Dr. West Springfield, MA 01089 or to the Christ Church Methodist, 222 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. www.firtionadams.com.
