Fred H. Johnson

Fred H. Johnson 1924-2009 EAST LONGMEADOW - Fred H. Johnson, 85, passed peacefully on August 16, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Betty (Lennon) Johnson for 61 years. He was born in Pawtucket, RI, the son of Fred and Irene (Houston) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a retiree from Tenneco Oil Company, a retired Air Force Colonel and a decorated World War II bomber pilot. Mr. Johnson was a lifelong pilot and passionate aviator. When the United States entered World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. At a time when the life expectancies of Allied air crews flying over Nazi-occupied Europe were astonishingly short, Mr. Johnson led and survived 39 missions in a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber from 1944-45. For his repeated heroism in combat, Mr. Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak-leaf clusters. After the war, Mr. Johnson settled in Springfield and became an Officer in the newly constituted Massachusetts Air National Guard. Mr. Johnson became Commanding Officer of the 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron, headquartered at Barnes ANG Base, in Westfield. He was recalled to active duty and served in France during the Berlin Crisis from 1961-62. Mr. Johnson retired from the military in 1971 with the rank of Colonel. In civilian life, Mr. Johnson worked for more than 30 years as a district sales manager for Tenneco Oil Co. Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to Dania, FL, where Mr. Johnson continued to fly for both enjoyment and as a flight instructor, until the age of 79. While living in Florida, Mr. Johnson also indulged his other great passions: racquet ball, golf, and taking long walks on Hollywood Beach with Betty. In addition to his wife, Mr. Johnson is survived by eight children: Dr. Marilyn Johnson of Los Angeles, CA; Hope Hebert and her husband Bruce of Charlton, MA; Fred Johnson and his wife Jane of Wilton, CT; Beth Vezzola and her husband Louis of Springfield, MA; Kathryn Ward and her husband Robert of Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Barbara Johnson of East Longmeadow, MA; Nancy Johnson and her husband Lawrence Shen of Brooklyn, NY; and Thomas Johnson of Agawam, MA. Mr. Johnson is also survived by his brothers Frank and Charlie as well as 11 grandchildren: Manda, Fred, Elizabeth, Thomas, Sara, Kevin, Brian, Charlie, Sam, Jeffery, and Danny ("Olney"). A funeral Mass for Mr. Johnson will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Michael's Church in East Longmeadow, followed by a military ceremony at 3 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. There are no calling hours. There will be a reception for friends and family at Reeds Landing following the ceremony. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Reeds Landing staff for the care provided to Fred. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St. #301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183 (website: donate.americanheart.org/ ) or to St. Michael's Church, 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, East Longmeadow is in charge of arrangements. www.ForastiereFuneral Home.com