WORCESTER-Robert F. Johnston, Sr., 77, of 19 Murray Avenue, Auburn formerly of Worcester died Saturday, June 29th in Saint Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center after an illness. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Evelyn M. (Robertson) Johnston; 3 sons, Robert F. Johnston, Jr. of San Jose, CA, Richard P. Johnston of Worcester and David M. Johnston of San Francisco, CA; a daughter, Patricia J. Corley of Marietta, GA; a brother, Andrew Johnston of Worcester; 7 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; many nephews and nieces. 3 brothers, Everett, William and Samuel Johnston predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester the son of Samuel P. and Florence A. (Oswald) Johnston. He was a Navy Sea Bee veteran of WWII. Mr. Johnston opened Perry’s Luncheonette on Main Street in Worcester early mornings for many years. He worked as a truck driver and shipper for the former Washburn Co. in Worcester for 25 years and then worked as an inspector and laborer in the stores department for the former Heald Machine Co. for 18 years, retiring in 1991. He then worked part time as a security guard for Filene’s Basement Distribution Center in Auburn for 10 years. He was the president of the Steelworkers Union for the Washburn Co. and a member of the VFW and also umpired Worcester Little League baseball for many years. He was a horse and dog racing enthusiast and an avid bowler and sports fan.
The funeral will be Wednesday, July 3rd, from O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue, with a mass at 9:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street, Auburn. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours are from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday, July 2nd in the funeral home.