Craig Johnson Obituary
Craig came to Philadelphia as an engineering student at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1963. He went on to receive his MBA from Wharton in 1968. While in graduate school, he met his wife, Sally (nee Van Dusen). He served in the Philadelphia City Troop – Army National Guard and had a long career in Management Consulting with roles in the shipping industry at Lavino Shipping Co. and Martians.
Craig served on numerous Boards throughout his career and into retirement including Springside School, Pocono Lake Preserve, The Academy of Natural Sciences, the Blair Corporation, Foundation for Health Equity and The Philadelphia Contributionship.
Craig was an avid artist and woodworker, creating many paintings and pieces of furniture. He loved to handyman around the house. A true engineer at heart, there was nothing he could not repair.
Sally and Craig recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He was a loving father to his three girls, Pepper (Jeff) Rexford, Jenny (Brian) Birch, and Sam Johnson. Adoring grandfather to Ainsley and Hunter Rexford, Bracken, Wade, Henry, Rieder, and Quincy Birch. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his cousin, Steve Smith.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 14 at 10:00 am at The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St Martins Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. In lieu of flowers contributions in Craig's memory may be made to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy or Penn Engineering.
SCH Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave, Philadelphia PA 19118
Penn Engineering, 123 Towne Building, 220 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu
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3 Entries
Michael Cashman
May 9, 2025
Craig and I met each other playing Gray Y league basketball in 1951 in Warren, PA. We were friends as students and athletes for the next eight years, especially as varsity basketball and track members for WHS. In 1964 after graduating from the University of Michigan I applied to the MBA program at the Wharton School and asked Craig for a reference as he had just recently graduated from Penn. This probably helped in my acceptance. In 1969 after my military service was completed I took a job with The First Boston Corporation that required I go through a six month training program in NYC before returning to work in Philadelphia. I needed a place to stay and Craig invited me to live with him in his rental apartment on Park Avenue which I did which saved me considerable money. Thank you Craig for all that help years ago. My condolences to Sally and family. Mike Cashman
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Bill Neumann
April 18, 2025
Craig and I were partners along with Pex Muldoon at Lavino Shipping for over 10 years in the 1980s. We worked together during a challenging period at the company. I always appreciated what he brought to any discussion and his input helped us develop a consensus on many difficult matters. I concerned him a friend and he will be missed.
John Zawacki
March 25, 2025
Craig was the first truly independent Board member for public company Blair Corporation since our appearance on AMEX in 1927, and his impact on an otherwise family-managed, somewhat insular company was felt immediately with his strategic planning insights and skills. Under his leadership as Board chairman and my tour as CEO, his vision first helped us stave off unwanted hedge fund hostilities yet eventually see our way clear to sell our stalemated company in a no-growth industry before our $42.50 per share sale price would have fallen 80 per cent the following year.
This was particularly difficult for someone born in the hometown where Blair was founded and recognizing 2,700 employees would be challenged to maintain their jobs over a long haul in spite of our efforts to build in every possible protections on their behalf.
Craig was a caring and inspirational leader who knew what was right and accepted the responsibility and accountability to face that recommendation head-on. I´ll miss him.
John Zawacki
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814 Bethlehem Pike, Glenside, PA 19038
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