Curtis A. Johnston M.D.

Curtis A. Johnston MD 74 years old, of 7 Ivy Hill Rd. Waterford, CT died Friday September 4, 2026 at his residence with his family by his side after a brave long battle with brain cancer beginning in December of 2023.

Dr. Johnston was born on November 9, 1951 in Lafayette, IN the son of William and Kathryn (Malone) Johnston. He graduated from Yale University in 1973 and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 1977. He completed his residency in Pathology at University of Maryland Hospital and then served as Assistant Professor of Pathology between 1981-1983 at University of Maryland School of Medicine. His career spanned a total of 48 years with many important publications, contributions and speaking engagements to the field of pathology. From 1996 to 2009 he served as Associate Pathologist and Director of Blood Bank and Cytology at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. From 2009 until 2026 he served as an Oncologic Pathologist and Medical Director at Caris Life Science located in Phoenix, AZ.

Curtis was a member of many organizations over the years which included: the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the Association of Clinical Scientists, the College of American Pathologists and the Arizona Society of Pathologists. He served as a volunteer and as a representative to the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee and was a member of the Executive Board of the Arizona Society of Pathologists, he also served as a Lab Inspector to the College of American Pathologists, he also served as a board member and chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the American Red Cross of the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region. He served on the Board of the Riverfront Children’s Center from 2003-2009 located in Groton, CT. While he was in Arizona for 16 years 2009-2024 Curtis served as a volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, Mesa, AZ, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Phoenix, AZ, Andre House, of Phoenix, AZ, and Welcome to America located in Tempe, AZ. He enjoyed serving as a kitchen volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Place located in Norwich, CT in 2025 after moving back to CT in his final years.

Curtis was greatly loved by his family, friends and colleagues. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anybody and did so quietly and humbly. He deeply believed in unity and peace among people and saw everybody as his neighbor. He was a loving husband to his wife of 24 years Gianna. Together they enjoyed going to mass in Arizona and Connecticut and have been blessed to be able to travel to holy Christian sites around the world which they both enjoyed so much together. They also found great joy in the Arizona Worldwide Marriage Encounter ministry.

Curtis additionally enjoyed many hobbies and activities over the course of his life with his wife and family which included cooking and pie baking, boating, tennis, pickleball, ballroom dance, playing piano, walking his dog Junior and traveling. Even while battling cancer, Curt would offer a smile and try his best to enjoy each moment that God had blessed him with never taking it for granted.

Curtis is survived by his wife Gianna of 24 years, his daughter Second Lt USA Army. Kate X. Johnston, Lacey, WA his brother Eric Johnston of Boynton Beach, FL his son Kenneth Johnston, Pittsburgh, PA and his daughter Dr. Elizabeth Harris and her husband Mark Harris, his two grandson’s Troy Harris and Gavin Harris who all reside in Vancouver Island, BC Canada

Curtis was an active member of Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Old Lyme, CT. His funeral mass was held in his church, followed by a burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London, CT.

Please visit ww.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes.