Obituary of Robert T. Johnson
Robert T. Johnson
New Port Richey, FL Robert T. "Bob" Johnson, 71, of 9330 Stonewall Lane, passed away Saturday (November 3, 2018) after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer.
Born February 18, 1947 in Ithaca, NY he was the son of Frank and Margaret Stanbro Johnson. On July 26, 1969 at the St. Bonaventure University Friary Chapel in Allegany, NY he married Kathleen Casey Johnson who survives.
Bob was a 1965 graduate of Hinsdale Central School and a 1969 graduate of Niagara University in Buffalo. He enlisted in the US Air Force and graduated from the United States Air Force Officer Training School where he received his commission in 1969. In September of 1970 he earned his wings after graduating from Flight Training School. He served during the Vietnam War, having flown in 99 combat missions while in Southeast Asia in 1972. He was honorably discharged after 6 years of military service.
Captain Johnson received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals with 11 oak leaf clusters, USAF Outstanding Unit Award with 2 oak leaf clusters, USAF-Army Presidential Unit Citation, USAF Combat Readiness National Defense ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary ribbon, Vietnam Service ribbon, USAF Longevity Service, USAF Small Arms Expert ribbon and the Korea Expeditionary ribbon during the years 1973-1974.
In 1976 he began a career in funeral service and, along with his brother-in-law R. Dennis Casey, co-owned the Hogan, Johnson and Casey Funeral Home until 1988. He then worked for the NYS Department of Health, was later an insurance agent, and was also a substitute teacher for the Olean City School District. After retiring to Florida in 2013, he managed the Heritage Lake Golf League and served on the board of directors for Heritage Lake.
Bob was a former member of St. Mary of the Angels Church and was currently a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in New Port Richey. He was a life member of the Olean VFW Post 1619 and a life member of the Hinsdale American Legion Post 1464. He formerly was a member of the Olean Elks Club as well as the Olean Lions Club.
He always enjoyed the game of golf and in his retirement he was active with the Cuba Retirement Golf League and with the Heritage Lake Golf League.
Surviving besides his beloved wife are 3 children Katherine (Peter) Beck of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Aaron Johnson of East Otto, NY and Nathan (Ellen) Johnson of Arlington Heights, IL; 5 grandchildren Hayden, Reece and Rachel Beck of Ponte Vedra Beach, Tanner Beck of Georgia and Owen Johnson of Arlington Heights, IL; 2 sisters Carol Tesh of Spartanburg, SC and Chris (George) Smith of Bluffton, SC and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by 2 brothers-in-law Ron Tesh in 2017 and Ross Casey in 1998.
A memorial mass is being scheduled to take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in New Port Richey. Later, a memorial service will be held at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels at a time and date to be announced. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Pkwy, Amherst, NY 14228, the Olean SPCA, PO Box 375, Olean, NY 14760 or to a charity of the donor's choice
Local arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.
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