George W Johnson

George William Johnson, 83, formally of Mountain Lakes, and Bay Head, New Jersey, died peacefully on Sunday, October 16. He was born in Dover on June 7, 1939 and was raised in Lower Berkshire Valley.

George was an athlete, scholar, and musician. He graduated with honors from Roxbury High School in 1957. He was a Varsity Track, Football and Wrestling Letterman and was the President of the Student Council. He also enjoyed playing the saxophone with his band, The Tunedusters. George attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois and was President of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduating from Knox, he drove his Harley Davidson motorcycle back home to New Jersey to attend Rutgers Law School in Newark. He excelled in Law School, was President of his class, and graduated from Rutgers in 1964. George met the love of his life, Lois, at the Jersey Shore while completing a summer clerkship. They wed on February 14, 1964.

Shortly after law school, George served in the United States Army, and achieved the rank of Captain. He was stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia. After his Honorable Discharge, the family returned to NJ. George joined his father at the family law firm Johnson and Johnson established in 1929. In 2006, his son Bill joined the firm. He was active in the Morris County Bar Association and served as its President. He always made time for his clients, often working long into the night. He practiced until his retirement in 2021.

George was a leader and a volunteer. He served as the Borough Attorney for the town of Wharton for many years. He was past President of the Dover Chamber of Commerce and was a past President of The Kiwanis Club of Dover. He was active in St. John's Episcopal Church in Dover and was a member of the Vestry. George and Lois were lifetime residents of Mountain Lakes, where they resided until 2009. He became active at St. Peter's Episcopal Church and served on the Vestry. George was a member of the Board of Directors of Dover General Hospital during the time of its merger with St. Clare's Hospital and remained on the board for many years. He was a former Executive Director of the Morris County Republican Committee. He was also an active member of the Juvenile Conference Committee in Mountain Lakes.

George was an avid golfer and traveled around the world to play golf. He was a member of the Rockaway River Country Club and, a current member of Manasquan River Golf Club. George had a smooth golf swing. He once had a hole-in-one at Pine Brook Golf Course. He also loved being a member of the Bay Head Yacht Club.

George had a green thumb and enjoyed tending to his gardens in Mountain Lakes and Bay Head. He could often be seen with a smile on his face and a set of clippers in his hand. George's nine grandchildren were his pride and joy. They called him "Peeka". He proudly displayed all their college flags outside his Bay Head home.

George was predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Edith Johnson, and his brother Clifford Watts Johnson. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth Moss of Lexington, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Lois, "Lolo", son Bill (Sarah) Johnson of Morristown, New Jersey, daughter Susan (John) Cole of Charlotte, North Carolina, daughter Nancy (Win) Dougherty of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and grandchildren Will, Harris and Graham Johnson, Jack, Sam and Cady Cole, and Field, Molly and Emily Dougherty.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 2:00 pm at All Saints Church in Bay Head, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Bay Head Yacht Club Preservation Fund, donations can be sent to The Bay Head Yacht club at 111 Metcalfe Street, Bay Head NJ 08742, payable to BHYC Preservation Fund or donations can be made directly through the Community Foundation of New Jersey, www.cfnj.org and designate Bay Head Yacht Club Preservation Fund. A reception will follow immediately after at the Bay Head Yacht Club.