Edward H. Johnson

1919 - 2014

Edward H. Johnson, of Bala Cynwyd passed away on January 26th at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Edward is survived by his five children and their spouses: John Johnson and Cerena Cooper of Nevada, Edward Johnson and Ruthanne Worthington of Philadelphia, Robert of Berwyn, Kathryn of Havertown, and Frank and Isabel Johnson of Stockholm, Sweden. His beloved wife Mary passed away in 2011 after almost 60 years of marriage. He was a Philadelphia native and lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area and was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Bala Cynwyd for 56 years. Ed was born in 1919 in Philadelphia, the son of immigrants Harry from Bergen, Norway and Kathryn from Krakow, Poland. Ed and his family resided on Tree Street in South Philadelphia for many years. His father died when he and his two brothers (Charles and John) were very young. Ed learned at a young age to be resourceful, responsible and persistent. Throughout his life, he maintained steadfast dedication to family and friends and utmost devotion to the education and upbringing of his children and grandchildren. Ed attended South Philadelphia High School, where he graduated with honors in 1935. Shortly thereafter, Ed began his professional career at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where he worked his way up from messenger boy to Inspector of Naval Aircraft. When World War II started, he joined the Navy and spent the duration of the war serving as a Flight Engineer on PBY Catalina aircraft. For the remainder of his life, he was a passionate supporter of Veterans Affairs, and had leadership roles with The Disabled Veterans Association and the Federal Employees Veterans Association. In 1951 he married and started a family. Under the GI bill, he attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School by night, while continuing to work by day at the Navy Yard to support his family. His hard work and determination earned him the highest honors: he received two gold keys for excellence in academic achievement. In later years, after retiring from his position at the Navy Yard, he started his own tax accountancy with the support of his wife. His close engagement with his tax customers led to many long talks and wonderful friendships over the years. One of his closest friends was Jim Galloway: their friendship lasted to the end, spanning almost 50 years. The family left the city and moved to Bala Cynwyd where Ed became an active supporter of youth in the area as a leader in Boy Scout Troop Bala 1, the first in the United States. He later formed his own troop and served as its Scoutmaster for many years. In later years, he greatly enjoyed extended visits to Scout Camp NoBeBoSco in New Jersey where his son Robert has long served as Camp Director. Due in part to his studies, he gained a special interest in politics that led to many discussions and debates around the dinner table. It also led him to run for the United States Congress, not just once, but three times. He traveled around the area campaigning against corruption in government and in favor of economic opportunity and family values. He was also active more generally in civic life and was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was proud to have become an Irish citizen in his later years, courtesy of his wife Mary and her Irish lineage. Throughout his life, Ed enjoyed the open road and outdoors, traveling and camping at the seashore or in the mountains. He traveled to the New York World's Fair in 1939 and with the family he visited the New York World's Fair in 1964, Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada, and the World Exposition in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1982. After purchasing a motor home, he started a tradition of traveling south with the family to Florida and to Savannah, Georgia. There were many memorable family trips to Disney World, the most recent in April 2013. He drove across the country in 1992 to visit his youngest son in California, and later traveled to Stockholm, Sweden to attend his wedding. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Christopher (spouse Rachel DeHaven), Jennifer and Edward Nestor; Emma and Tess Johnson; and Carolina and Julia Johnson; two great grandchildren: Ella Jane and Christian DeHaven; and two step-grandchildren: Adam and Brian Cooper. Ed will also be fondly remembered by his extended family, including nephew Joe, niece Johann, Marlene Keating (spouse Denny, children Denny, Colleen, Heather), Msgr. Francis Nelson of Georgia, Rosemarie O'Brien (son Joey O'Brien), Lacie Ann Frye-Nelson (spouse John), and Lorraine McCabe (spouse John). Ed was also fond of his grand nieces and nephews Jessica, Gabrielle, Christopher, Alexa, Will, Allie, Andrew and Nicholas. A funeral mass and viewing were held in his honor on Saturday, February 1st at St. Matthias Church in Bala Cynwyd. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ed Johnson Memorial Fund, Camp NoBeBoSco (Northern New Jersey Council Boy Scouts of America, 25 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ 07436) or to a charity of one's own choice. Stretch Funeral Home