Dr. Neal J. Johnson

Kinnelon, NJ: On December 29, 2022 Dr. Neal J. Johnson passed away after a long-fought battle with heart disease. Neal was predeceased by his parents, Robert J. Johnson and Catharine (Healy) Johnson, his brothers Robert J., Gregory B. and Paul C. and his wife Maria “the love of his life” who stayed in his heart to the end. Neal is survived by sisters-in-law Carolyn Johnson and Janice Johnson, nephews, Robert (Suzanne) Johnson, Lawrence (Tammy) Johnson and Kevin (Janette)Johnson, and niece Kerry (Jason) Debski , also great nephew Andrew James Debski and great nieces Elizabeth Johnson, Elizabeth M. Debski and Grace Johnson.

Neal was a proud graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he was later distinguished with an Honorary Doctorate for his service to persons with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the years his relationship never faltered with St. Bonaventure where he introduced and grew a unified partnership between Special Olympic Athletes and the faculty and students of the university.

After graduating from college in 1973, Neal went to work for the NYC Department of Education as an Adapted Physical Education Specialist.  Simultaneously, while coaching at the high school level he began an officiating career that included five sports; Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer and Track & Field.  His titles included International Technical Official, Referee-In-Chief, National Technical Delegate and Master Level USA Track & Field Official.

In 1975, Neal began coaching Special Olympics Athletes in his hometown of Bronx NY, a decision that changed his life and the lives of countless others over the years.

In 1997, he was named President and CEO of Special Olympics NY. With Neal at the helm, Special Olympics NY became the largest program in North America and sixth largest in the world. It was his personal goal to never stop growing the number of athletes served. His impact surpassed the boundaries of NYS as he served on national leadership committees on both the program and development sides of the organization, ultimately impacting the movement on a global level. He advocated with politicians from the local, state and federal levels of government to create more opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities and inspired countless volunteers and donors with his hands-on approach. In addition to his role as CEO, he was also an official for both track & field as well as floor hockey and was a staple at many Special Olympic World and National Games throughout the past 30 years.

He was also a certified official for USA Track & Field for over 40 years and was inducted into the USATF-NY Officials Hall of Fame in 2020.

As part of the Special Olympic family, Neal cherished the lifelong bond that was created with the members of the law enforcement community through the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement. He imparted the enormity of the impact they have on the lives of the Special Olympics Athletes as the “Guardians of the Flame of Hope.”

In Neal Johnson’s own words relative to Special Olympics, “…this organization and our courageous athletes have come to define who I am, both personally and professionally. As you may suspect, my deepest appreciation, respect and love is reserved for our athletes.”

In leu of flowers, Donations can be made to:

St. Bonaventure University Special Olympics New York

3261 West State Street. OR 94 New Karner Rd.

P.O. Box 2519 Suite 208

St. Bonaventure, NY  14778 Albany, NY 12203

Online donations to Special Olympics NY can be made here - http://events.nyso.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5260&mfc_pref=T&5260.donation=form1

Calling Hours

Monday, Jan. 9 and Tuesday Jan. 10, from 4 – 8 p.m.

Gobles Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871

Funeral Mass

Wednesday, Jan. 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

Our Lady of the Lake RC Church, 294 S. Sparta Ave., Sparta Township, NJ 07871