WEST BALDWIN – On January 17, 2024, Royce Eastman Johnston, 91 yrs, left his earthly home for his forever heavenly home after a valiant battle with strokes and dementia. Days before his death, he announced with cap on his head, “I’m going home!” He was a dapper, intelligent, witty man with a sharp sense of humor. He quietly enjoyed the last large family Christmas gathering on December 31st. He was loved by his four children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and their spouses and 13 great-grandchildren. His CBC friends welcomed him and his wife in 2014 to the fellowship, and he felt loved and supported by them to the last service he was able to attend on Christmas Eve of 2023.
Born on July 29, 1932, on the family homestead in Lebanon, NH, the youngest son of Daniel Haman Johnston and Martha Jane Eastman Johnston, Royce was just 3.5 pounds at birth.
His father asked the doctor, “Will he live?” And yes, he did!
After graduating from UNH with a bachelor’s degree in music, Royce married his high school sweetheart, Jean Bradbury in September 1954. He served in the Air Force 1954-57 as a pilot, then became an Air Traffic Controller with the Boston Logan Center, then with the FAA Eastern Region control center in Nashua, NH until 1985. After retiring from the FAA, he was contracted as an instructor, training new air traffic controllers until 1993, when he actually retired. He and his wife, Jean, raised their four children in Topsfield, MA, buying their first home in 1963, and renovating. He was a member of the Topsfield Congregational Church; Deacon, choir member (with a beautiful tenor voice), trumpet player and faithful servant; a resident of Topsfield until 1992. Royce then lived with his wife in Boxford for 22 years before moving to West Baldwin, ME in 2014 to live with daughter, Cheryl and her husband, Keith.
Royce enjoyed playing tennis with young daughter Cheryl; encouraged artistic daughter Laura; chess and car repairs with daughter Leslie; and baseball pitching practice with young son Brad. He looked forward to summers in York Beach, doing woodworking projects, fixing his cars, and traveled with Jean to visit Cheryl & Keith in Germany in 1978 – their one and only big trip.
His favorite card game was “Hand & Foot” which he played with anyone willing...especially with daughter, Leslie. Royce was an avid reader of Scripture and author, David Jeremiah, follower of politics, and never missed a Sunday service if he could possibly help it. He was a member of the fellowship of Calvary Bible Church of Hiram and sang in the choir until a year ago. He really enjoyed frequenting good restaurants and many a waitress knew him and his wife by name.
He is predeceased by his parents, his siblings: Donald, Leonard and Martha Beryle Johnston, and his beloved wife, Jean.
Royce is survived by his four children, Cheryl (Keith) Stackhouse, Laura Jo Lewis, Leslie (Gene) Fassnacht, and Brad (Linda) Johnston; his 11 grandchildren: Heather (Aaron), Amber (David), Dawn (Haythem), Benjamin (Melanie), Christopher (Johanna), Garrett and girlfriend Jaye, Jaclyn, Cathryn, Andrew, Kyle, and Ryan, and 13 great-grandchildren: Jackson, Natalie, Caroline, Beckett, Hayden, Calliope, Clive, Leah, Eric, Carley, Dominic, Jaaden, and James. He is survived by nieces and nephews: Lee, David, Todd, Mac, Scott and Jacqui. Royce was so proud of his family!
Royce wished to thank all of his caregivers from the various agencies over the last year since his leg fracture, then as health declined, the hospice nurses who cared for him over the last two months. It was his wish to remain at home as long as possible, and all of his caregivers helped make that happen.
There will be a graveside service in June in York, ME. In the meantime, Cheryl & Keith will host an Open House on Sun., February 4th from 2:00-5:00pm at their residence for family and friends to stop by, share a story, and enjoy some good food.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com