GLOUCESTER: Dwight “Bill” Johnson, 73, of 33 Myrtle Square, died peacefully Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Patricia (Hurst) Johnson.
He was born in Medford on January 21, 1935, he was the son of the late Albert W. and Adelaide L. (Small) Johnson.
Dwight graduated from Somerville Vocational High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS Caperton and the USS Wilke. He worked as a machinist at Gloucester Engineering for many years.
He was a member of numerous local associations such as The Sportsmen’s Club, Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892, Doucette-Linguard V.F.W. Post #1624, and the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3 American Legion. He was also an active member of the Cape Ann Chapter No. 1471, Loyal Order of Moose, where he served as a Moose Administrator, Governor and held the Fellowship degree for many years.
Dwight took great pride in his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He also enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, pool and fishing. In his younger years he traveled much of the world. Most days he could be found on a stool at Uncle Moe’s Coffee Shop.
In addition to his wife, Dwight is survived by a son, Ronald of Gloucester, son, Kurt and his wife, Tricia of Wilmington, daughter, Nadine Mathews and her husband, Thomas, daughter, Sybil Militello and husband, Frank all of Gloucester, and son, Dwight, II and his wife Daleen of Hemet, CA, ten grandchildren, Kristen Parsons and her husband, Robert, Thomas and Jessica Mathews, Frank, Marissa and Michaela Militello, Matthew Johnson, and Trevor, Dwight, III and Kavan Johnson and one great-granddaughter, Elliana Parsons. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Johnson and his wife Ellen of Rowley and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a sister, Margaret Oliveri.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 – 8 p.m. with the Moose Lodge conducting a service at 7 p.m. Committal services will be held on Friday in the Moose Lot at the Beechbrook Cemetery, W. Gloucester at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Dwight’s memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to “The Friends of Seacoast” c/o Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930.