Paul V. "PJ" Johnston

Paul V. "PJ" Johnston, 81, of Old Mill Road, died Sunday, November 29, 2009 at his residence after a lengthy illness. Paul was born in Boston, June 18, 1928, a son of Andrew J. and Helen M. (Tuohey) Johnston and was a lifelong resident of Harvard.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris A. (Paquette) Johnston; his daughters, Paula K. Johnston of Harvard and Lori A. (Johnston) Lucy and her husband Robert of Shirley; and his son, Alan B. Johnston and his wife Marie of Bedford, NH; his twin brother, Peter K. Johnston of Ayer; and his sister, Mary U. Butler of Somerville. He also leaves four grandchildren, Robert F. Lucy III, Allison K. Lucy, Ashley M. Johnston, Kayla B. Johnston; and several nieces and nephews.

Paul was the father of the late Steven M. Johnston of Harvard who died in 1982 and the brother of the late Andrew G. Johnston of Norwood who died in 2003.

After graduating from The Bromfield School in 1948, Paul served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Corporal. Upon his return, Paul joined the Town of Harvard Highway Department. In 1961 Mr. Johnston went to work as a custodian for the Harvard Public Schools. During the next three decades he would hold several positions within the system until he retired in 1990 as the Facilities Manager for the Harvard Public Schools.

For over 50 years Paul Johnston served the Town of Harvard and its residents, as well as the residents of surrounding towns in many facets of community service. He was a longtime member of the Ayer-Harvard-Shirley Rotary Club, had served as President, and named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1990. He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post, Veteran's Memorial Committee and assumed the responsibility of the daily raising of the Town Common Flag. He assisted in the decoration of Veteran's graves for Memorial Day and served on the Memorial Day Parade Committee.

For 45 years he was a member of the Harvard Fire Department serving as a Lieutenant for 5 years, Deputy Chief for 19 years and Chief of Department for 6 years from 1984 until his retirement in 1990.

He served on the town Bicentennial Committee, the Steering Committee and was a Charter Member of the Harvard Ambulance Squad. Paul served as Harvard Cemetery Commissioner, a Special Police Officer, Harvard Civil Defense Director and substitute mail carrier for the Harvard Postmaster.

For years Paul collected clothing for the Pine Street Inn, furniture for the Refugee Program in Worcester and delivered food items to the Mustard Seed Food Pantry in Worcester.

His greatest commitment was to his church, St. Theresa of the Little Flower Church in Harvard. He was a lifelong member and also served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He chaired several retreats, was a leader in the Church Renew Group and was Vice President of the Christian Family Life Group. For the past five decades he served as the church's custodian and caretaker.

Mr. Johnston will be waked in St. Theresa Church, 17 Still River Road, Harvard from 3 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2. A Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 3, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Theresa, The Little Flower Church. Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Saint Theresa, The Little Flower Church (Holy Trinity Parish), 15 Still River, P.O. Box 746, Harvard, MA 01451.

The T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Ayer is assisting the family with arrangements. Please see

www.andersonfuneral.com