Barry W. Johnson

Barry W. Johnson

Neptune - Barry W. Johnson, 70, of Neptune, died on July 29, 2018. Born in Neptune to Willard O. Johnson and Ruth Shafto Johnson, he lived most of his life at the north Jersey Shore.

He was a graduate of Neptune High School in 1966 (where he was student body president); Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts (1967) and Occidental College in Los Angeles (1971). He earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from New York University (1981). Barry was Director of Monmouth County government's Division of Addiction Services for 25 years and of its Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services for 4 years. He was well-respected in his field. While in those positions, he served in various capacities including being a member of the Professional Advisory Committee to the New Jersey Department of Human Services on Addictions (its Chairperson for several years) and as President of the N.J. Association of County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Directors for 9 years. He was a state-Certified Prevention Specialist.

He received many awards for his work including the Governor's Highway Traffic Safety Award. He was also Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism of Central New Jersey for nine years. Although not a "friend of Bill W.," Barry learned to appreciate, admire and respect Alcoholics Anonymous which offers hope, strength and caring support for so many people. He served on the Boards of Directors of: the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore; the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune Emergency Assistance for Residents; the Mary Flanagan Donnelly Foundation; MCOSS Home Health Services and, most recently, CPC Behavioral Healthcare. In addition, he served the Superior Court as a member of the Neptune Juvenile Conference Committee and volunteered at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Barry cherished his many friendships. He loved walking and running on the boardwalks of Asbury Park, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove and Spring Lake. He liked impressionist painting, modern art, the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the modernists, fine wine, modern sculpture as well as playing tennis and basketball, attending The Two River Theatre and just being in California, especially its central coast, San Francisco, and all of Sonoma County.With his beloved wife and best friend Carol he enjoyed traveling, especially cruising. He had visited all 50 U.S. states and 31 countries. Barry was an avid, long-time New York Mets fan. He liked to read, especially about U.S. history, government and politics.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years Carol Rickner Johnson; brothers-in-law Robert H. Rickner, Jr. (South Burlington,Vermont) and Mark H. Rickner and his wife Deborah Mager Rickner (Monkton, Vermont) and their children Hannah, Julia and Eli; nephew Robert H. Rickner III and his wife Carrie of New York City; niece Lillian Rickner Flanagan and husband Thomas and their son Desmond of Boston, Massachusetts.

A celebration of life service will be held in the autumn. Donations in Barry's memory may be made to: CPC Behavioral Healthcare or the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.