Paul J. Johnson

1923 - 2023

Paul J. Johnson, 99, a resident of Oak Park, IL (previously Arlington Heights, IL, Mount Prospect, IL, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada), passed away on June 14, 2023. Born on December 20, 1923, Paul grew up in Pittsfield, MA and studied at the University of Toronto. Paul served in the 14th Armored Division of the United States Army during World War II as a rifleman in France. On December 7, 1944, he was shot by a sniper and later awarded the Purple Heart. Following his graduation from the University of Toronto, he went on to become the chief financial officer of numerous companies across the United States and Canada. Paul is survived by his five children: Geoffrey (Maryanne), Jane (Rory) Salance, Jill Watts (Craig Jenks), Peter, and Christopher; his older brother, Samuel; and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his former spouse, Winnifred Ryan, and two younger brothers, Thomas and George. Paul was an avid baseball fan and a lifelong lover of all things Red Sox. A defender of liberty, supporter of education, and a man of unparalleled principles, intellect, compassion, and devotion to faith, family, and country, he will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at St. Luke Catholic Church in River Forest, Illinois, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Paul will be laid to eternal rest directly following the mass at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Church and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Arrangements entrusted to Peterson-Bassi Chapels 773-637-4441 or www.petersonfuneralhome.com