Curtiss Sherman Johnson Jr.
Groton – Curtiss S. Johnson Jr. of West Shore Ave., Groton Long Point, died September 4th at his home with his family at his bedside.
He was born in Hartford, CT, March 27, 1925, the son of the late Curtiss S. Johnson Sr. and Mary Boardman Lawton, and brother to the late Dorothy (Pollitt).
Curt attended school in Westport, Guilford and at Yale. He enjoyed spending his summers working on a farm in Cummington, MA. He then served in the US Marine Corps in the South Pacific during WW II. Returning from the War, he apprenticed for Naval Architect Winthrop (Wink) Warner of Middletown, CT. Curt’s first commission was to design the Chester Ferry. He went on to become Chief Engineer at the Standard Knapp division of the Emhart Corporation in Portland, CT.
A lifelong sailor and engineer, Curt started C. Sherman Johnson Co. in 1958. Curt holds numerous patents for his simple yet innovative designs of marine and architectural hardware. Through his design and development the company has become a great legacy for his family.
Curt and his wife, Elsie, made their home in Middle Haddam for 45 years, and spent their summers at Groton Long Point. During this time Curt served on many community boards and committees. His interests were wide and varied; he served as Commodore of the Middletown Yacht Club, and was a member of the Baldwin Bridge Yacht Club, the Essex Yacht Club, Off Soundings, the Groton Long Point Yacht Club and the Ram Island Yacht Club. His memberships also included the Stonington Country Club, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Seaport Art Gallery, and he was one of the founders of the Connecticut River Museum, in Essex.
Curt and Elsie enjoyed travel. They journeyed throughout Europe, the Greek Islands, and to China and Africa.
Along with Elsie, Curt is survived by his daughter, two sons and daughters-in-law, and their families; Patricia Stannard and daughter, Sarah Jane, of East Hampton; Burton Johnson and his wife Sharon, and sons Samuel and Maxwell, of East Hampton; son Curtiss Johnson III and his wife Karyn, of Lyme.
Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St, Essex, CT 06426.
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