Patrick Gerald Johnston

Uncle Jerry was the person who always told the best stories at a family gathering-usually our Christmas Eve family party at his mom Anne Walsh´s home (remember Zigler St., Roxbury, Jamaica St., Jamaica Plain, and Gallavan Blvd., Dorchester?). Present were Annie and Pops, Jerry and Jean, Jack and Peg, Tom and Kay, and Charlie and Lorraine. And of course, all the cousins, neighbors, friends, and the occasional stranger right off the street. The house would be packed with people!

After Grandma Annie passed, the family Christmas Eve party tradition was lovingly followed by Auntie Maureen hosting the traditional event at her beautiful home on Belton St. in Dorchester. I remember him standing at the kitchen counter carving the roast turkey and telling a funny story, his back to the room, but capturing the attention of the 20 or so people crammed into the small kitchen, listening with rapt enthusiasm. He would use his acquired accents (Jewish, Greek, Southern, African, Asian) in re-telling events that made us all howl with laughter!

One particular story that he found hilarious was the time his mom gave away his clothes while he was away in the service. He came home to 1467 Tremont St. to his basement room he shared with his step-brother Jack Walsh. He was dressed in his Air Force uniform chomping at the bit to change into his civvies and go out on the town only to discover his favorite clothes had disappeared! Turns out his mom, Annie, had given his clothes to a needy neighbor-she was always giving things away to anyone in need.

But that was long ago, and far away. Great memories we have of Jerry Johnston!