John J. Johnston

John J. Johnston 82, of Brushton, passed away on January 9, 2026 at Champlain Valley Hospital in Plattsburgh with his family by his side. Per his wishes there will be no public services. The Johnston family has entrusted Frary Funeral Home of Malone with arrangements.
John was born on April 2, 1943 to the late Harvey and Evelyn (Thomas) Johnston in Fort Covington, NY. He attended Salmon River Central School. John married Linda Westurn in July of 1963 and together they moved to Rochester where John worked for Duffy-Motts Company. Their marriage later ended in divorce but they remained friends. John moved back to the Brushton area and went to work for TruStitch in Malone. John fell in love with Mary Pickreign and they were married on August 14, 1998 in Fort Covington by the Honorable Jerome Brockway, where their two families became one. John found his real passion going to the woods and logging. He went to work for Preston's Logging for many years then went to TruStitch as a mechanic for a few years. He was known to have the fastest chainsaw around and could and would prove it to anyone that challenged him. Later in life he worked out of his house as a mechanic.
John was a Jack of all trades to many that knew him. If someone needed help fixing a car, reupholstering a chair, or a good recipe for canning pickles, John was who they would turn to. He would give you a time and you better be there. If you were just five minutes late it was to late in his book and he didn't help you. John loved to play bingo, ice skate and teaching his kids how to skate, bowling, living off the land by canning and baking especially his dill pickles and his Fireball Fudge.
John is survived by his wife Mary, his children; John Johnston of Brushton, Vicki (Todd) LaClair of Westville, Christine Deyah (Timothy Crump) of North Lawrence, and Verdonna Snyder of Brusthton, his step children; John (Tasha) Pickreign of Malone, and Amanda (Johnny Rivera) Pickreign of Brushton, his three brothers; Donald of Bruston, George (Bonnie) of York, South Carolina, and Alvin of Brushton, his three sisters; Irene Marise of Brooksville, Florida, Judy Henderson of Huntington, Quebec and Linda (Greg) Stone of Florida and foster sister, Roslyn Gaetano. He is going to be missed also by his thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; Harvey and Evelyn (Thomas) Johnston, his brother Richard, sister Dorothy, his grandson Connor Pickreign and his former wife Linda (Westurn) Johnston.
Online condolences can be made to the Johnston family at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.