Herbert Johnson

EAST DENNIS - Herbert Johnson, formerly of East Dennis, passed away peacefully just after midnight on May 13 of natural causes. He lived a long, abundant life, with the last 2 years residing at The Terraces-Orleans.

Herbert Johnson was the son of the late Herbert and Harriet Huested Johnson born on December 28, 1915 in East Greenbush, NY. He was an armament Sergeant serving the China, Burma, India area during WW II. He supplied, serviced, and installed 50 cal. machine guns and 75MM canons that went into B 25 bombers. While in the service, he graduated from the Air Corps and Supply School in Fort Logan, CO. At time of discharge, he went under the Bill of Rights to the Modern Welding Training School in Schenectady, NY where he graduated and became an all position welder.

Mr. Johnson attended two high schools, Rensselaer High in Rensselaer, NY and graduated from Castleton High in Castleton on Hudson, NY. He played baseball and football on winning teams at both schools. After graduation he worked at many jobs. Employment included carpentry, roofer, clerk in the income tax dept. for the state of NY, spring bender at the Ford Motor Co., Green Island, NY, riveter at the American Locomotive Co., Schenectady, NY, 27 years as a civilian in the Dept. of Engineers as a spray painter leader at Voorheesville Army Depot in Voorheesville, NY and then at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, PA where he received two sustained superior performance awards before his retirement. He served 31 years for the Government including 4 years military service.

While in East Dennis, Mr. Johnson served two years as gate attendant at the local beaches. He also served seven years with Hyline Harbor Tours of Hyannis, MA.

He was a body builder and was awarded a certificate of having one of the finest physiques in America at the First America Finest Physique Contest on June 10, 1939 in Amsterdam, NY. He was also awarded a certificate of meritorious service from the Young Men's Christian Association of Albany, NY in grateful appreciation for services as assistant weight lifting coach from 1946 & 1947. In 1940, he won first place as a heavy weight, weight lifter in Eastern NY Adirondack A.A.U. Championships.

Mr. Johnson was one of a group of talented hand balancers that performed and entertained in the Tri-City area of Albany, Troy, and Schenectady, NY in the 1930's and 1940's. He also entertained in U.S.O. shows while in the service. One show was in Macon, GA.

He was a life member of the China, Burma, India Veteran's Association and a life member of the CBI Basha of Cape Cod, MA.

He was a member of four churches in his lifetime including the First Presbyterian Church of Rensselaer, NY where he was baptized, and at the age of twelve, pumped the pipe organ in the choir loft; The Clinton Heights Congregational Church, Clinton Heights, Rensselaer, NY; The Mountainhome United Methodist Church, Mountainhome, PA; and The Dennis Union Church, Dennis, MA. He served as a trustee for two churches. Committees he served on were building, evermember canvas, supper, auction, and election. He was also a member of the men's club, couples club, and dart league.

Mr. Johnson is survived by a son, William H. Johnson, of White Haven, PA, a daughter, Jill J. Shea and her husband Robert P. of Saint Albans, VT, and two cherished granddaughters, Chelsea J. Shea of Annapolis, MD and Courtney C. Shea of Saint Albans, VT. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 44 years, Jean Evelyn Sager Johnson, in 1993.

A special thanks of gratitude to the caring, professional staff at The Terraces-Orleans, Hospice, and VNA, of Cape Cod. Memorial donations may be made to the following organizations: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, American Heart Association, White Haven Center for the mentally and physically handicapped, White Haven, PA, and the American Diabetes Association.

Friends may call from 6 – 8 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134 in South Dennis, MA. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the funeral home.

Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.