George West Johnston, of Needham, MA, formerly a longtime resident of Wellesley, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, at the age of 89. George was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 28, 1935 to parents Bulwar Lytton Johnston and Maxine Dannenberg Johnston. He grew up in Ridgewood, NJ, and attended Ridgewood High School. As a child, he enjoyed sports, Boy Scouts, and summers spent at Camp Winape in Vermont, where he met his future college roommate. In high school, George played football and soccer and sang in the choir. He was also involved in other student groups, including Hi-Y, facilitating the use of the YMCA by high school students for exercise and social events, and the Grounds Committee, working to ensure that the campus grounds were neat, clean and safe for his fellow students.
George graduated from Dartmouth College in 1957 and earned his master’s degree at the Thayer School of Engineering the following year. While at Dartmouth, George was an active member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and was paramount at enthusiastically recruiting new members. George served on the Sophomore Orientation Committee, returning to school early to aid incoming freshmen in adjusting to college life and to serve as a mentor for several of the younger students. He also participated in the R.O.T.C. program, played soccer and was a leader in the Dartmouth Glee Club.
After Dartmouth, George served in the Marine Corps where he attended training in Quantico, VA before being stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA. Among his accomplishments, George completed Atomic, Biological and Chemical Defense School at Camp Pendleton and placed third in his class while a student in the Hawk Officer Qualification Course. He served as Battery Commander, Battery “D”, 1st Light AA Missile Battalion, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, before he was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st lieutenant.
George then moved to New York City where he met Ann Ritter who he married on September 12, 1964. They lived on East 51st Street in Manhattan until moving to Montclair, NJ. From there, George and Ann found their way to Wellesley, MA, where they raised their daughter. George worked as an executive recruiter for several years before making a career change to real estate, a very social profession that suited him well and that he enjoyed for many years.
George was active in the Wellesley community. He was a devoted member of the Charles River Rotary Club, a service organization where members share a passion for both community service and friendship. As a proud Rotarian, George served as president and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also active as a Dartmouth alumnus, planning and attending many reunions and events. He and Ann were members of the Wellesley Country Club and, formerly, the Wellesley Assemblies, a formal dinner and dancing club. He was an active member of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, where he served as a deacon many years ago. George enjoyed tennis, golf, sailing, and skiing. He was an accomplished skier and took his daughter on many ski trips throughout New England. He also cherished summers on Martha’s Vineyard, travel, and family reunions.
George was predeceased by his wife, Ann; his parents; and his younger brother, Robbie. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret (Johnston) Boyes; his son-in-law, Peter Boyes; his grandchildren, Paige and Ryan Boyes; his sister-in-law, Jane Clawson; his nephew, Barry Johnston, and his family; and his niece, Morgan (Johnston) Earl, and her family.
George will be remembered as a true gentleman with a great sense of humor, a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye. He was social and kind and easy to love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A service for George will be held at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington Street, on Saturday, March 8, at 3:00pm, followed by a memorial celebration at the Wellesley Country Club, 300 Wellesley Avenue, from 4:30–7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Rotary Foundation (rotary.org/donate), the Marine Corps League Foundation (mclfoundation.org) or any charity of your choice.