Obituary for Brian F. Johnson
It is with great sadness the family of Brian F. Johnson, of West Orange, NJ, announces his passing on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at his home in Roseland.
Brian was born and raised in South Orange, NJ graduated from Columbia HS in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army and served with the Military Police in Italy.
Brian married Sandra Binder in 1962 and together they raised their three children; Diane, Lori and Bill in West Orange.
In 1976 Brian and Sandra started Deacon Press Inc. A printing company specialized in Offset printing. They owned and operated Deacon Press for over 25 years.
Brian served as a Trustee, Deacon and Elder with Kilburn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Vailsburg through which he became a Charter member of the Unified Vailsburg Service Organization, a group of businessmen, churches, temples and service organizations formed to help “create a stable community” in Vailsburg. Brian served as Chairman of the Board in 1978 and 1979.
Brian later became an active member of Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church of West Orange where he again served on the Board of Trustee. After leaving Pleasantdale, Brian then became an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Caldwell where he became a Stephen Minister. Brian appreciated and learned from all those involve and respected and loved the role of Stephen Minister. Brian focused on caring for others on a larger scale throughout his life. This final volunteer position encompassed so much of his life work in a new direction. It meant so much to him.
In 1983 Brian was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army for the Oranges and Maplewood and has served as Chairman and Treasurer. In 1986 he was awarded the Wilbur Booth Award.
Brian represented the West Orange Chamber of Commerce on the Cooperative Education Committee of West Orange HS and later served as Chairman. This group links education systems with the business community. Through the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Brian helped to create and Co Chaired the Scholarship Committee which raises funds that are awarded annually to WO students including cooperative education students. In the 1989 WO Chamber of Commerce selected him as The West Orange Citizen of the Year.
Brian was also a member of the WO Juvenile Conference Committee, and a member of the WO Lion’s Club in which he held multiple positions.
Brian and Sandy were members of the WOHS Music Boosters and have wonderful memories of chaperoning many band camps and trips.
Amongst Free & Accepted Masons, Right Worshipful Brian Johnson was a pillar of Essex Lodge No. 7 F&AM in Caldwell. His history of service to the lodge traveled with him from Newark to Montclair and from the district to the state. He also served as Grand Lodge Administrator for many years. Brian was initiated June 2, 1978, passed September 15, 1978, and raised November 17, 1978. He served as Worshipful Master in 1985, District Deputy Grand Master of the Great Eight Masonic District from 1986 to 1990, and Secretary to the Grand Master in 2007-2008. He was also a member of the Scottish Right and Shriners.
Of all the positions Brian held as a volunteer and professionally his favorite role was as the head of the family he and Sandy created. He was a great husband, an amazing Dad and a much loved grandfather.
Surviving are his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Sandra; devoted children, Diane Joy, Lori Bollotta along with her husband, Christopher and William F. Johnson; cherished grandchildren, Daniel and Caitlin Joy, Anthony and Vincent Bollotta and Annika Johnson; and extended family Sister in Laws Beverly Johnson, Carolyn Schwarz, and Susan Goldstein as well as beloved nieces and nephews
Brian joins his mother, Catherine (Bissonette) Johnson, sister, Beverly Good and brother, Norman Johnson in heaven.
Join the family as they celebrate Brian’s life in a Memorial Service on Saturday March 5, 2022, at 1:00pm in the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006. Arrangements trusted to Garrett Jones Memorial Homes in Roseland, NJ (973-228-7925 / www.shookfarmer.com).
Reception at the church to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation honoring Brian’s life to the West Orange Scholarship Fund https://www.woboe.org/scholarshipfund Look for the donate button right beneath the photo gallery and note Brian Johnson in the Special Instructions section.
Brian was born and raised in South Orange, NJ graduated from Columbia HS in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army and served with the Military Police in Italy.
Brian married Sandra Binder in 1962 and together they raised their three children; Diane, Lori and Bill in West Orange.
In 1976 Brian and Sandra started Deacon Press Inc. A printing company specialized in Offset printing. They owned and operated Deacon Press for over 25 years.
Brian served as a Trustee, Deacon and Elder with Kilburn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Vailsburg through which he became a Charter member of the Unified Vailsburg Service Organization, a group of businessmen, churches, temples and service organizations formed to help “create a stable community” in Vailsburg. Brian served as Chairman of the Board in 1978 and 1979.
Brian later became an active member of Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church of West Orange where he again served on the Board of Trustee. After leaving Pleasantdale, Brian then became an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Caldwell where he became a Stephen Minister. Brian appreciated and learned from all those involve and respected and loved the role of Stephen Minister. Brian focused on caring for others on a larger scale throughout his life. This final volunteer position encompassed so much of his life work in a new direction. It meant so much to him.
In 1983 Brian was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army for the Oranges and Maplewood and has served as Chairman and Treasurer. In 1986 he was awarded the Wilbur Booth Award.
Brian represented the West Orange Chamber of Commerce on the Cooperative Education Committee of West Orange HS and later served as Chairman. This group links education systems with the business community. Through the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Brian helped to create and Co Chaired the Scholarship Committee which raises funds that are awarded annually to WO students including cooperative education students. In the 1989 WO Chamber of Commerce selected him as The West Orange Citizen of the Year.
Brian was also a member of the WO Juvenile Conference Committee, and a member of the WO Lion’s Club in which he held multiple positions.
Brian and Sandy were members of the WOHS Music Boosters and have wonderful memories of chaperoning many band camps and trips.
Amongst Free & Accepted Masons, Right Worshipful Brian Johnson was a pillar of Essex Lodge No. 7 F&AM in Caldwell. His history of service to the lodge traveled with him from Newark to Montclair and from the district to the state. He also served as Grand Lodge Administrator for many years. Brian was initiated June 2, 1978, passed September 15, 1978, and raised November 17, 1978. He served as Worshipful Master in 1985, District Deputy Grand Master of the Great Eight Masonic District from 1986 to 1990, and Secretary to the Grand Master in 2007-2008. He was also a member of the Scottish Right and Shriners.
Of all the positions Brian held as a volunteer and professionally his favorite role was as the head of the family he and Sandy created. He was a great husband, an amazing Dad and a much loved grandfather.
Surviving are his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Sandra; devoted children, Diane Joy, Lori Bollotta along with her husband, Christopher and William F. Johnson; cherished grandchildren, Daniel and Caitlin Joy, Anthony and Vincent Bollotta and Annika Johnson; and extended family Sister in Laws Beverly Johnson, Carolyn Schwarz, and Susan Goldstein as well as beloved nieces and nephews
Brian joins his mother, Catherine (Bissonette) Johnson, sister, Beverly Good and brother, Norman Johnson in heaven.
Join the family as they celebrate Brian’s life in a Memorial Service on Saturday March 5, 2022, at 1:00pm in the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006. Arrangements trusted to Garrett Jones Memorial Homes in Roseland, NJ (973-228-7925 / www.shookfarmer.com).
Reception at the church to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation honoring Brian’s life to the West Orange Scholarship Fund https://www.woboe.org/scholarshipfund Look for the donate button right beneath the photo gallery and note Brian Johnson in the Special Instructions section.