2010

Posted by Bob on January 28, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

It was with extreme sadness that we learned Monday of the passing of one of Naugatuck finest citizens, Franklin E. Johnson, Sr. I, like so many Borough residents, had the honor and privilege to know Mr. Johnson personally. He had a remarkable way of touching every life he met through his kind and humble demeanor and fantastic sense of humor.

Mr. Johnson will forever be remembered as a proud World War II Veteran and tireless advocate for all those who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Services and their families. A member of the “Greatest Generation”, Mr. Johnson stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day with many other young men of similar age. Through my numerous conversation with Mr. Johnson over the years, we never once discussed the horrors he must have witnessed that day. I was too fearful to approach the topic and Mr. Johnson always too humble to discuss it. While movies have attempted to depict the scenes, it is impossible for all of us not there to truly imagine what it must have been like. Mr. Johnson lost many friends that day and in those days that followed.

For most of us, surviving such turmoil and hardship and helping to achieve global freedom would be enough service for a lifetime. Not for Mr. Johnson. Like many World War II Veterans, Mr. Johnson took advantage of the opportunity to further his education and became a teacher. Thousand of students, including myself, were fortunate to have Mr. Johnson as a teacher and eventually a Freshman Guidance Counselor at Naugatuck High School. His quiet, dignified manner helped girls and boys grow into fine women and men.

Mr. Johnson never forgot those with whom he served in World War II, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the beaches and forests of Western Europe. While his profession was education, his lifelong passion was the support of Veterans of our Armed Services; past, present and future. While he is often and deservedly credited for making Naugatuck’s Memorial Day Parade one of the largest this side of the Mississippi, his devotion to Veterans was often evident in far less visible ways. Organizing support systems for Veterans returning home, educating citizens of the importance of honoring Veterans regardless of their support for a particular war, and working tirelessly in support of legislative efforts to benefit Veterans were the works that brought Mr. Johnson the most satisfaction.

Having served in leadership roles in numerous Veterans organizations throughout his life, Mr. Johnson was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. In his “spare” time, Mr. Johnson volunteered in numerous civic organizations such as Rotary, the Exchange Club, the Naugatuck Sports Hall of Fame and the high school Alumni Association. Locally, he was the first recipient of the Naugatuck Citizenship Award in 2001. It was soon realized that despite the many worthy individuals who would be recognized in the following years, none could equal Mr. Johnson. Ultimately the award was renamed the Franklin Johnson Citizenship Award.

Many words can describe Mr. Johnson: Veteran, Patriot, Public Servant, Advocate, “Mr. Naugatuck”, Friend and Hero. What Mr. Johnson valued most, however, was the role of Husband and Father. He was married to his Beloved Wife Jeanne for over fifty eight years. His love for Mrs. Johnson was evident every time they were together and every time he spoke of her. After all the triumphs and tribulations of fifty eight years of marriage, he still referred to her as his “buddy”.

Jeanne and Franklin Johnson’s marriage was blessed with four, outstanding children: Lori, Lisa, Lynn and Frank, Jr. I have had the pleasure to know Frank, Jr. and work with him on several community endeavors. Frank, Jr. has inherited his Dad’s love of Naugatuck and commitment to public service.

Mr. Johnson’s passing leaves a void in our Naugatuck community that will not soon be filled. While we extend our deepest sympathies to the Johnson family, we also extend our gratitude for sharing Mr. Johnson’s wonderful life with the so many people whose lives he touched. In a world that too often casually applies the word “hero” to sports figures, artists or other celebrities, Franklin E. Johnson, Sr., stands as the best example of that word. May he rest in peace and continue to watch over us from above.