Published in the Venice, FL, Herald Tribune on September 12
Erwin “Red” Johnson, 79, of Venice, Florida, and formerly of Queensbury and Lake Placid, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at Venice Regional Bayfront Health.
Erwin was born in South Glens Falls in 1936 to the late Milford and Edna (Cleaveland) Johnson.
He graduated from South Glens Falls High School in 1954, and had a long career with NIBCO (Northern Indiana Brass Company) as well as owning a paint and wallpaper store.
Erwin was involved in many community and civic groups, including The Boy Scouts of America, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC), past president of Glens Falls Personnel Group, Toastmasters, Adirondack Pipes and Drums and Adirondack Youth Hockey Association.
He enjoyed spending time with his family at their camp on Assembly Point, Lake George for many years and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and camping.
He passed down his talents as a handyman and his love for his Scottish heritage to his children, grandchildren and sons-in-law.
In June 2015, Erwin and his wife, Ann, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Erwin was predeceased by his brother, Walton Johnson; and his sister, Luana Rohlin.
Survivors include his wife, Ann (Danahy) Johnson; his six children, Donna Smyth and her husband, Kevin; Jay Johnson and his wife, Kimberly; Janet Burns and her husband, Troy; Julie Dowd and her husband, Patrick; Jeffrey Johnson and Laura Eldred and her husband, Steven; his 13 grandchildren, Robyn Smyth and her husband, Brandt Burgess, Eric Smyth, Jalene Smyth, Corey Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Stacia Burns, Anna Burns, Ethan Burns, Colin Dowd, Brennan Dowd, Kieran Dowd, Eamonn Dowd and Jenna Eldred; one great-granddaughter, Hadlee Burgess and loving extended family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Life Raft Group, www.liferaftgroup.org/donate, 155 US Highway 46, Suite 202 Wayne, NJ 07470, which served as a source of support, inspiration and hope for Erwin and his family for several years.