Dennis M. Johnson

The family of Dennis Melvin Johnson, better known as Dennie, DJ, Gramps or Grandpa, is heartbroken at his sudden passing Aug. 8. Dennie was a bright light in our world and we’re all better people because we were embraced by his love and goodness.

Dennie was born on Oct. 18, 1942, to Mel and Mary A. Johnson in Cleveland, Ohio. Even as a child he was outgoing and gregarious. He loved to talk, laugh and share stories. He has lifelong buddies dating back to grade school. As a young student, he enjoyed playing sports more than studying, but managed to get into the University of Dayton. His love for the Flyers and the Marianist tradition blossomed at UD.

While there, he made the decision to enter the Society of Mary (Marianists), a worldwide family of Catholic religious and lay people, as a Brother. Through the Marianists, Bro. Dennis Johnson found his vocation, serving Catholic schools as a teacher, counselor, athletic director, principal and administrator. He was so proud to lead all-male Purcell High School, beginning in 1977. He was even prouder when the school merged with all-female Marian High School in 1981 to become the first principal of co-ed Purcell Marian High School. He continued in that role until 1993. He spent another decade at Purcell Marian as director of alumni and development. He maintained a presence and remained a Cavalier to his final days, volunteering, connecting with alumni and telling anyone who would listen, epic tales of the history, leaders and tradition of “The Castle.”

In 2004, he took on a new adventure as principal of Hillcrest Training School for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. At Hillcrest, he worked with some of the most at-risk, deprived and disadvantaged among us: incarcerated young people.

His years at Hillcrest no doubt sharpened the compassion he has always had for the most vulnerable in our society. People in need of a couple bucks, a personal connection or a sympathetic ear somehow found their way to Dennie. A longtime and dedicated member of St. Francis de Sales parish in Walnut Hills, he volunteered for the HELP program at the church, which serves returning citizens. Those in need knew to look for him before and after mass to talk and get a little something to tide them over. The number of ways he gave to others is simply too numerous to count. He treated all people, no matter what their circumstance or situation in life, with dignity, respect and love.

After two decades as a Marianist, Dennie chose a new vocation as husband to Roberta (Berta) Leon. They met through her work in the education office at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. A widow with three grown children, Berta became the love of his life and a treasured friend to his Marianist brothers. He left the order to begin a new chapter with her. Dennie and Berta married in 1986 and that same year welcomed a new son-in-law and their first grandchild. Over the years, the former Brother with no children became a father, father-in-law and grandpa. He did more than adapt to his new lifestyle, he thrived in these roles and became the heart and soul of the family.

In addition to his cherished wife Berta he is survived by children Jim and Julie Leon, Kelly Leon and Steve Watkins and Kathy and Allen Caldwell, grandchildren Bill, Andrea, Alisha, Ava and Brian Caldwell and Nina Leon. He was honorary grandpa to Lybra Watson, Jordan Brown, Austin Holt and Neal Bhattacharya and great grandpa to Kacie and Willa. He is also survived by his adoring sister Lynn Ludvik and her husband Mike. He was a proud uncle to their children, Amy and Andy Rogers, Ryan and Lana Ludvik and Kevin Ludvik and Emily McNeilly and great uncle to Callen and Graden Herb, Camden Rogers, and Blake and Sammy Ludvik.

Dennie was a man of deep faith and we are comforted knowing he is now telling stories in heaven to those he loved who went before him. In addition to Berta and his immediate family, he will be missed and remembered by so many, too numerous to name. They include extended family members, hundreds of treasured friends, decades of students and colleagues, members of the Purcell Marian and St. Francis de Sales communities and random people who caught his attention. He talked and listened to everyone he met, from waiters in restaurants and fans at sporting events to people he’d meet on the golf course or racquetball court. Everywhere he went, Dennie met someone he knew or made friends with someone new. He was genuinely interested in everyone and always took time to acknowledge people and, if necessary, literally give them the sweatshirt off his back.

Dennie loved his family deeply and made sure we knew it. He didn’t miss a game, a gathering or a graduation. When it came to his grandchildren, he could never order too many baskets of french fries for the table, happily wore silly birthday hats and tacky Christmas shirts, made covert runs to Mickey D’s for a forbidden Egg McMuffin and Busken Bakery for one too many donuts and always had a little cash to slip into their hands. He couldn’t take enough pictures of himself with us. He celebrated our every accomplishment and consoled our every setback. He made us laugh, a lot. He even converted some of us Cincinnati natives (not all) into Cleveland sports fans.

More than anything he was a fun, caring, loving and devoted partner to Berta. They worshipped one another and set a powerful and positive example of friendship and marriage for all who were lucky enough to be in their universe.

As in life, Dennie continues to give in death, donating his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis de Sales followed by a reception to share stories about Dennie, will be held in the near future. With Covid cases on the rise, Dennie would not want to put his friends in jeopardy by gathering in his honor. We hope we can come together in late September or October. Dennie was vaccinated and we know he would urge all of his friends and family to get the Covid vaccine and continue to wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you do as Dennie did. Donate to a charity you care about. Volunteer. Buy a meal for a stranger. Listen intently when someone needs to talk. Drop in unexpectedly to brighten someone’s day. Pay compliments. Laugh a lot. Be kind.