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Carl Johnson Obituary
Carl was born in Quincy. He earned a master's degree from Worcester State College. He was a teacher of English and grammar at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, and an instructor of English and literature at Cape Cod Community College.
Carl retired in 2006 and has lived in West Barnstable for 24 years. He was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. He enjoyed reading, writing short stories, poetry and playing guitar.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Carol J. (Pihlaja) Johnson; a son, Lars Johnson, and daughter Erica Johnson; his parents of Wollaston; four brothers; three nieces; and six nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m., in the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, 3330 Main St., Barnstable, MA 02630.
Memorial donations may be made to the Carl Johnson Memorial Fund, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA 02532.
Doane, Beal & Ames
508-775-0684
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Carla Small
November 30, 2008
In the late 70's my two youngest siblings Sheila and Brendan Richard had Carl for a teacher at Omnibus school in Woods Hole. Carl was creative funny sweet and extremely kind. It seemed his occupation was to see to other's happiness.
It happened that Carl acted as chauffeur for John Travolta one summer. After that Carl would proclaim, "I taught John Travolta how to dance." Carl would want everyone to know this fact.
Here is a little song for Carl:
Come Some Sunny Day
Oh, don't forget to miss me
When I sail away
And I'll look for you above the clouds
Come some sunny day.
We'll roll around like thunder sounds
And wash the earth with rain
And we'll all shine like diamonds
Come some sunny day.
Oh, don't forget to miss me
When I sail away
And we'll all shine like diamonds
Come some sunny day.
Yes, we'll all shine like diamonds
Come some sunny day.
Carla Richard Small 2007
"I can hear him singing this one with his walrus voice and his raucous guitar."
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
~Carla
Mary & Ernie Johnson
November 25, 2008
FROM MARY AND ERNIE JOHNSON;
CARL, MOM AND DAD LOVE YOU DEARLY,
OUR SPECIAL MEMORIES OF YOU INCLUDE:
AT 5 YEARS OLD; YOU LOVED TO WEAR THE SUPER-MAN CAPE THAT I MADE FOR YOU. YOU EVEN WORE IT TO A MOVIE WHICH YOUR BROTHER ERNIE AGREED TO TAKE YOU TO EVEN WITH THE CAPE ON.
DAD AND I RECALL YOUR 10TH YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY; IT WAS A COOK- OUT IN THE BLUE HILLS. THERE WERE YOUR FREINDS, OUR NEIGHBORS AND CLOSE FAMILY THAT JOINED US TO CELIBRATE
THEN AT 16, YOUR MUSICAL TALENTS CAME ALIVE IN THE HOUSE WITH YOU AND YOUR BAND MATES PLAYING GUITAR AND DRUMS.
YOUR WEDDING DAY WAS A WONDERFUL TIME FOR ALL
YOU AND CAROL WERE SO HAPPY. WE DANCED OUR JIG TOGETHER.
DAD AND I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT WE WILL CLOSE BY SENDING OUR LOVE TO CAROL, ERICA AND LARS.
Don Zaffini
November 15, 2008
Carl was a great friend and co-worker. I will remember him most for his friendship, humor, crazy jokes and sharing Mike's Lemonade.
Grace Smith
November 14, 2008
Dear Carol, Erica and Lars,
Eric and I are saddened by the loss of your husband and Dad. I will remember you and Carl at our wedding and all the years we have shared. Keep close the wonderful times you shared and God Bless your family.
Eric and Grace Smith
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claire Pope
November 13, 2008
Dear Carol, Erica & Lars: 11/13/08
My deepest heartfelt sympathy to
all of you in the days and months of
your sorrow. The memories you have
of your Dad will remain in your hearts
always. Carl was my cousin, and I have found memories of spending
many days at Wollaston beach,
and also babysitting for him.
Love & prayers, Claire
Kathy Moore
November 13, 2008
Dear Johnson Family, My deepest sympathy on the loss of your son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and cousin. I have not had the opportunity to see Carl and many of our family for a very long time. This saddens me and although I am looking forward to seeing you all again on Saturday I am sorry it is for such a sad occasion. After reading the guest book it is very apparent the love and respect Carl had from his family and friends. I have no doubt he is at peace and watching over you. Love and Light, Cousin Kathy
Don & Jean Oksanen
November 13, 2008
Carol, Erica, Lars, and Ine
Our deepest sympathies on Carl's passing. As difficult as the past two years were for your whole family, you can take comfort in that he is now at peace.
Carl's whimsical humor and good-natured spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
Please accept our profound condolences on your loss.
Mark Johnson
November 12, 2008
Carol: My brother Carl loved you very much and was very proud of you. I especially remember that he respected your culinary abilities and at family gatherings Carl would insist that everyone acknowledge your work. Thank you Carol for taking such good care of Carl and thanks again for your culinary delights.
Sharon Christian
November 11, 2008
Carol and Erica and Lars
I am so sad to hear of the passing
of your beloved husband and dad.
Words cannot express the pain we feel when we loose a loved one. Carol you give me so much inspiration working with you every day and knowing the pain you were going through but you still stayed so strong for everyone.
Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers..It will be hard from this day forward but please know to reach out to family and friends. Take care.
Sharon (Sullivan)Christian
Russ Levitan
November 11, 2008
Carl, I know you are sailing to Valhalla and humming a bawdy ballad. I miss the twinkle of your smile!
Erica Johnson
November 10, 2008
You know when you hear a joke and decide whether or not you like it? Or sometimes you just don't get it? Or sometimes it will hit you a few days later and you'll smirk to yourself?
Growing up with my father, I found myself laughing 10 or 15 years later. If he had a joke about politics or social matters he would tell me. It didn't matter that I was 5 years old. He cracked himself up, my mom giggled, and my 2 year old brother laughed at the sounds of them. Mean while I stared off into space utterly confused about what he just said.
From a young age he got me thinking.
He would talk to me as an adult, which forced me into educating myself. He kept me on my toes and raised quite a thinker. He raised me to think objectively, be open minded, and become my own person.
....except the weird humor. that rubbed off a little...
thanks dad.
....ill be sure to drive my kids down the back roads while listening to a cello solo, and tell them that the bumble bees are coming.
Susan Johnson McCulloch
November 10, 2008
Carol, Lars, and Erica,
We are so sorry for your loss.
I will always remembering Uncle Carl dressing up as Santa - (we all behaved that day, even though some of us knew it was him). Watching Toby's wonder at meeting Santa was quite a reward!
I remember going to your beautiful wedding and watching the cars slow down as you and Carl walked, hand in hand to your reception. He was so happy. And you both glowed.
I remember how proud he was when Erica and Lars was born; how happy we his nieces and nephews were. I remember his happiness.
Love,
Susan, Chris, Patrick, Mary, Maeve and Dylan
Kristin, Anna & Drew Pomerleau
November 10, 2008
Carol, Lars and Erica,
Uncle Carl was a wonderful man whom when I think about him, always made me smile. He was kind and sweet. I will always remember listening him play music on your porch when we were lucky enough to have visited you when we went to the Cape. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Roy & Maureen
November 9, 2008
Carol, Lars and Erica,
You have lost a wonderful husband and father who took up such a happy part of your life. He always had a joke and a bright saying to pass with each conversation. Even when he was sick he was hopeful. The world has lost a little of its glimmer but the sky has a small star to show his light.
Love,
Karen Francis
November 9, 2008
I am so sorry to learn of Carl's passing. He always had a joke and made our visits fun.
But, above all he made it well known, the love he has for his family. Carl was very concerned for each of you individually and loves you all very much. He wanted nothing more than for his family to be happy.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet him.
My deepest sympathies.
Carol Rapoza
November 9, 2008
My deepest sympathies to the family. I was a student of Carl's back in 1979-1981. He is still, and always will be the best teacher I ever had. At that point in time he was teaching at Omnibus in Woods Hole. He inspired me to achieve my goals, and gave me the confidence to do so. Always with one of his dry jokes. To this day, whenever it snows, I think to myself, "Where does the white go when the snow melts?", and I think of Carl and smile to myself. I have so many fond memories it would be impossible to list them all, although I will share with you the fact that if not for Carl allowing me to walk twice a week to Nobska Point, I fear I would still be trying to get enough gym credits to graduate high school. I occasionally run into others that Carl had for students, and invariably we all end up laughing hysterically at one story or another about Carl (like the time we drove by his house in Mashpee, and saw him hanging out his clothes, including his stars & stripes underwear, just as the Cape was bracing for a hurricane. He felt that even though it was already raining the wind would still dry the clothes. I truely feel blessed to have known such a wonderful person. He will always be remembered with love from all his former students. Rest in peace Carl. Love always, Carol Rapoza
J S
November 9, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
The Staff of Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home Funeral Service Incorporated
November 9, 2008
We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.
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