James Edward Johnston

On March 22, 2015 James Johnston passed away at his home. He is survived by Shirley (Dusseault), his wife of 66 years, his daughter & son-in-law Cheryl & Nick Ballas of Storrs, CT and his grandson Brian, also of Storrs, CT.

He is further survived by sisters, Jeanie Johnston of Manchester and Lily Peltak and her husband Tom of Manchester; brothers Frank Johnston and his wife Janice of Manchester and Ronny Johnston and his wife Donna of Dedham MA. He was predeceased by sisters, Mary McGuire, Helen Fremeau and Christine Johnston and brothers William, Robert, Richard and Lenny.

Jim was born & attended schools in Manchester, NH. He joined the Coast Guard and served aboard the Samuel Chase as a radio operator, in the Pacific theater during WWII. He was a member of the Naval Reserves during the Korean War. After being discharged he moved to Enfield, CT and was employed by Pratt & Whitney in E. Hartford as a sheet metal worker. Although the family lived in CT for 4 decades, Manchester was always regarded as “home”. They moved to Maine in 1994. Jim began volunteering at York Hospital & accrued over 3,000 hours. He thoroughly enjoyed walking the beach & engaging people in conversation where ever he went.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Caring Ways in York, ME, for making it possible to fulfill Jim’s wishes to remain at home.

Calling hours were on Thursday from 1pm to 2p m in the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover St., corner of Beech St. Manchester NH. A funeral ceremony was held at 2:15 PM in the Funeral Home. Burial with military honors followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.