LACONIA - Nathaniel M. “Nat” Johnson, PE, 74, of Laconia, NH passed away at CRVNA Hospice House, Concord, NH on Monday, January 6, 2014 with his wife at his side.
Mr. Johnson grew up in Antrim, NH, the son of Carroll M. Johnson and Helen B. Johnson (Munroe.) Nat graduated from Tilton School in ’56 and Worcester Polytechnic Institute ’60 with a BSEE. He was a man of integrity who was dedicated to his work and generous with his time. He invented the Ground Fault Interrupter sensor (GFI) and holds many other US and foreign patents related to carbon capture and multi-pollutant control solutions. He co-founded Powerspan LLC and was sole proprietor of Winnipesaukee Associates. Nat was fortunate to work in a field he loved. Nat was devoted to the men at the firehouse and his job as Fire Prevention Officer of the Laconia Fire Department. He retired in 2002 to work as a Fire and Arson Investigator. He became well known for his expertise in the field. He wrote code for and served BOCA and NFPA. He was an expert witness in NH, VT, ME, MA, CT and NY. Nat was community oriented; he supported the Lakes Region and the City of Laconia by serving on the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Lakes Region Planning Commission, and as President of the Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Association. He was also an Adjunct Professor at the New Hampshire Vocational Technical College Laconia and taught classes in Math, Fire and Electrical. Nat was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and was a licensed Professional Engineer in NH, ME and VT. He was also a licensed Master Electrician and Private Investigator. Nat will be greatly missed by his family, friends, business associates and the many fire protection and fire investigation related boards and organizations he served.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Adrienne M. Johnson, his son, Andrew, daughter, Elizabeth, four grandchildren and two sisters, Pamela and Sarah. He was predeceased by his parents.
Memorial calling hours will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Nat’s name to Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Fire Protection Engineering, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.