Mr. Richard "Dick" James Johnson, 81, of Salem, New Hampshire passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the E. N. Rogers Memorial Veteran's Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts.
He was born on May 17th, 1930 in Lawrence to the late Richard D. and Sara Evelyn (Doone) Johnson. Richard was educated in Saint Mary's Grammar School and was a graduate of Lawrence High School.
Richard spent 20 years 8 months in the United States Air Force on stateside assignments and basic training at Lockland AFB Texas. Biloxi AFB Miss., and Charute AFB in IL. for schools in Airplane Maintenance. He went overseas to Guam and worked on B-29's, T-6's, C-46's and P-47's. Then for two years he came back to Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts as a Spt. working on F-84, T-33,F-86, and F94B for a year in a half. Richard went back overseas during the war to Korea K-14, and he worked on RF-80A, F80C, RF86A during 1952 as a S/Sgt. Later he came back to Texas, Bergstein's Air Force Base and worked on F846 in SAC. After that he went to DOW Air Force Base in Maine and worked on F846 and the new F84F and was promoted to TSgt. in SAC.
Richard re-enlisted in ADC at Suffolk Co. AFB LI NY at the 75 FG and stayed there for seven years, he worked on F860, F-102A, F101B, then went to Okinawa in 1959 and worked on RF10K and came home in 1963 to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and worked on F-84F and F-4C. Later he transferred to Nellis Air Force Base Nevada to work on F4C at Fighter Weapons School.
Richard received the Airman's Medal for Heroic Action during a fire on the Flight Line at Nellis AFB in Nevada.
He retired from the Air Force on May of 1968 after twenty years and eight months. Promoted to Msgt. while in Nellis AFB. The medals that were awarded to him were the Airman's Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (twice), Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Korean Service Medal, A.F. Longevity Service Award, United Nations Korean Service Medal.
Richard was a member of the DAV Queen City Chapter #2, The American Legion in Salem, NH and the Veterans Association in Bedford, MA.
Married in 1953 to Mafalda Bencivenga and had five children, then Mafalda passed away in 1972. Richard moved back to Salem, New Hampshire and bought a home with his five children. In 1973 Richard married Rita (Maloof) Johnson who had two children. Richard and Rita raised seven children together.
Family members include:
His wife Rita M. (Maloof) (Johnson) Johnson of Salem, NH
His children: Richard D. and his wife Susan C. Johnson of NC.
David G. and his wife Carla Johnson of Hudson, NH
Susan M. and her husband James McLean of Salem, NH
Mary A. and her husband Randy Schwarzenberg of Salem, NH
Michael A. Johnson of Salem, NH
Stepchildren:
Philip M. Johnson of Salem, NH
and Phyllis E. and her husband Roland Routhier of Salem, NH
His brothers and sisters:
Robert J. Johnson and his wife Beverly of Salem, NH
Walter W. Johnson and his wife Christine of Virginia
Rev. Arthur D. Johnson of NY
As well as several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his brothers and sisters: Philip Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, and Eileen Johnson, as well as his deceased granddaughter: Marlena McLean
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.
in Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Lawrence, MA.
Burial will take place at a later date.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to call on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 from 3 to 7 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.