Edward F. Johnson

1922 - 2016

Edward F. Johnson

AGE: 94 • Dover

Edward F. Johnson, 94, affectionately called "The Great One", "Grandpa", "Grandpa Johns", "Great-grandpa" , and "Dad." died Friday November 25, 2016 at St. Anne's Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Born in New York City, September 28, 1922 the son of Frank and Marjorie (Bladen) Johnson, graduated at age 16 from Evander Childs High School in the Bronx. After high school he worked as a civil engineer on teams that layed out the Long Island Expressway and then as chief laying out Sampson Naval Base in Geneva, New York. As a result of the latter, when Ed joined the Navy during WWII, he was sent to college for engineering so that he might become a CEBE. He attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Swarthmore College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Ed was forever grateful to the Navy for providing him that opportunity. He received his Masters in Education at Columbia College.

Edward was a high school guidance counselor at Westfield (NJ) High School and later at Morristown (NJ) High School at the time of his retirement. He was the swim coach at Morristown High School where he was known as "Coach J" and also coached at St. Elizabeth's College. His MHS team won 87% of its swim meets and he was elected to the NJ Hall of Fame of High School Coaches.

A former longtime resident of Madison, NJ (living in the same house for 49 years), Ed and Verdi moved to Dover in 2002. Edward and Verdi were decades summer residents in Ocean Point, Maine where Ed spent much of his time walking the coast and taking photographs. He was an avid photographer and was well known for his pictures of flowers. Ed and Verdi also ran Argus Gallery for a number of years, showcasing artists from across the US. An active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth and volunteer at the Common Table at the church he was known as "the brownie man," having made 20,000 brownies for this program.

Ed is survived by his wife of 70-years Verdenal (Hoag) Johnson, their children Candida A. Johnson of Holyoke, MA, David B. Johnson and wife Linda of Port Jefferson, NY and Frances V. Meffen and husband Jack of Dover, four grandchildren Allastair K. Meffen and wife Meg, Margaret V. Howard and husband Kris, Elizabeth K. Meffen and significant other Adotey Plange, and Madeline Johnson, and great-grandchildren William and Zachary Meffen, Callan and Kiley Howard and Chafania Plange. Also a brother Robert Johnson and wife Patricia and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday December 3rd at 2pm at St. John's Parish, 100 Chapel St., Portsmouth, NH. In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to Common Table, C/O St. John's Parish, 100 Chapel St., Portsmouth, NH 03801. Please go to www.taskerfh.com to sign the on-line guest book.