John H. Johnson Jr.

John H. Johnson, 92 WWII sergeant on B-24 Liberators and VFW county commander, NYPD officer with an artist's eye and a happy life in Meiers Corners John H. Johnson, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, passed away peacefully on Sept. 2, 2016, after a long and valiant struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 18, 1924 and lived his early married days in Yorkville, New York City, with his beloved wife of 48 years, Nancy; she preceded him in death in 1995. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Henry, and two grandchildren, Timothy and Jennifer. John is survived by his four daughters, Kathleen (Scott) Parfrey of Tucson, Ariz.; Eileen (Gerald) Huben, Margaret Haley, and Patricia (Steve) Walters of Collierville, Tenn.; also, brothers, Walter Johnson and Robert (Jeannie) Johnson, in addition to 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. John served in World War II as a sergeant in the US Army Air Corps 824th Bomb Squadron, stationed in Cerignola, Italy, flying 35 missions in the B-24 known as "Little Joe." Afterward, he served 22 years as a New York City police officer, and followed that with a new career in banking at the former Manufacturer's Hanover Trust, which was housed within the World Trade Center. He dedicated his retirement years to several organizations: for the North Shore Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7172, he was a past post commander and past county commander. For the AARP, he served as assistant state director. In his busy life, he enjoyed gardening and kept flowers blooming for all the spring and summer months, which tied in with his love of art. He was an extraordinary amateur painter, and produced many beautiful canvases of landscape, still life, and even a portrait, which have been shared among his family. He took another interest, his love of photography, and developed a profession of wedding photography that lasted more than 10 years. He was truly gifted and talented, and all these skills were self-taught. John and Nancy had a long, happy life together, and their greatest source of pride was the love of their family. They made several trips across the country, by car and on Amtrak to visit children and grandchildren, and to see this great country. For more than 50 years, they shared a great love for their neighbors in Meiers Corners, all of whom started their married lives and raised children in the newly built neighborhood in 1959. It was a wonderful choice and it served them well. For John and Nancy Johnson, theirs is a story of success and love. The wake will be held at Casey Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 2 to4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept.7, at St. Rita's Church, 281 Bradley Ave, S.I., N.Y. 10314. Interment is at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.