Herbert Leslie "Hub" Johnson Sr.

Groton - Herbert "Hub" Leslie Johnson Sr., 86, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife from his home, surrounded by his children on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013.

He was born Sept. 27, 1927, the eldest son to Herbert and Lyle Johnson of Groton.

He married Delores Mae (Cline) Johnson on June 8, 1944. They were married 63 years before she went home to be with the Lord in 2007.

He is survived by his eight children and spouses, Peg and Leroy Getchell of Jacksonville, Fla., Skip and Lori Johnson of Groton, David and Cindy Johnson of Groton, Barry Johnson and friend, Nancy Dion, of Groton, Jim and Robin Johnson of Ledyard, Debra Johnson and friend, Jim Murray, of North Stonington, Tom and Beth Johnson of Ledyard, Brandi and Harold Hull of Groton. Hub was blessed with 25 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. He leaves behind five siblings, Joyce St. Peter of California, Dexter Johnson of Groton, Larry Johnson of Mystic, Shirley Ryan of Florida, and Nelson Johnson of Groton.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by grandson, Leslie Ray Swindle in 2006, and granddaughter, Sarah Diane Johnson in 1984.

Besides his enormous love for his family, his second love was horses. He owned horses and was around them his entire life. His final ride through the Groton reservoir was just this past summer at the age of 86. He was very knowledgeable about horses and had a special connection with them.

Hub's honor, integrity and dignity secured his true character. He worked hard his entire life. As a young boy, he picked potatoes for the Ackley farm earning five cents per bushel. He then worked on the railroad at the Groton Depot. In 1951, he was employed by Arwood Corp. of Groton, working there until retiring 1989. For most of his 38 years at Arwood, Hub was a supervisor in many departments, his favorite being the maintenance department. He was instrumental in the construction of the new foundry facility, now known as the Don Casting building. After retiring, he worked with his son Dave for the next 10 years on various construction projects.

Hub was a lifetime member of the Groton Elks Club and a lifetime member of the Poquonnock Bridge Volunteer Fire Department.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to our sister Peggy for coming from Florida to stay with our dad the past two months making him as comfortable as possible. Also, many thanks to our brother David and his wife Cindy for all they have done for dad since our mother died six years ago. They both helped create a positive quality of life for our father in many ways since the loss of our mom.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at the Avery/Stoddard Cemetery, Route 214, Ledyard.

Please visit www.byles.com for directions, to sign his guest book, or to share a memory.