Kenneth O. JOHNSON

JOHNSON, Kenneth O.

Kenneth O. Johnson, 90, of East Hartford, loving husband of 65 years of Joan L. (Neverick) Johnson, peacefully entered into eternal rest with his family by his side on Sunday, (June 23, 2013) at his home. Born in Providence, RI on May 13, 1923, a son of the late Oliver and Elsie (Roun) Johnson, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1958. Ken was a graduate of New Britain High School, Class of 1942 and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the Carrier, "U.S.S. Essex" in the Pacific. Prior to his retirement in 1986, Ken was employed for over 33 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford retiring as a Lab Technician in the Experimental Test Department and in the M.E.R.L. A devout Catholic, Ken was a devoted and faithful communicant of St. Christopher Church, East Hartford where he served as a Counter. He and his wife, Joan, enjoyed traveling and spent many vacations throughout the United States and abroad. Ken loved football, and enjoyed reading, gardening, and was an accomplished carpenter, especially of furniture. Besides his beloved wife, Joan, Ken is survived by two sons, Dean Johnson and Robert Johnson both of Manchester; two daughters, Deborah Johnson of East Hartford, and Gail Zahner and her husband, Phillip, of Stafford Springs; two adored grandchildren, David Zahner and his wife, Jessica, of Manchester, and Michelle Zahner of Ellington. He also leaves a brother-in-law, Richard Wright and his wife, Joan, of Palmdale, CA; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by a brother, Gordon Johnson of Uncasville.
Funeral services will be Thursday June 27 with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Thursday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Veterans Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford on Wednesday June 26 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kenneth's name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Hwy, 2nd Floor, and Rocky Hill, CT 06067 and/or to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.