Whitman - Paul L. Johnson 90, a sixty-three year resident of Whitman died Thursday December 3. He was the husband of the late Margaret L. (Dexter) Johnson.
Born and raised in Brockton he attended Brockton Schools and was the son of the late Lambert Johnson and Olga (Wahlberg) Johnson who predeceased Paul at the age of 110.
He was a proud veteran of the US Army, having attained the rank of Sergeant, serving in the 100th Infantry Division during World War II from 1942-1946 as a motor pool mechanic. Over the years he regularly attended reunions with his “service buddies”. He was a member of the VFW of Whitman.
Before entering the military Paul worked as a mechanic at a local Brockton gas station. He later continued his mechanical career working for EC Hall Food Distributors of Brockton and Deehan’s Express of Whitman as a truck mechanic. After his retirement he continued using his mechanical talents in repairing lawn mowers and small engines for AF German of Brockton and Stewarts of Holbrook, as well as for his local friends and neighbors.
Paul was a familiar sight around Whitman, always with his pipe. He loved meeting with his friends and discussing the local issues at Dunkin Donuts. He also enjoyed visiting Tom Bentcliff at his repair station Conlon’s Garage in Whitman where they would spend many hours talking shop. He enjoyed playing the lottery and scratch tickets.
He is survived by his long time companion Nancy Shanahan of Whitman, his son Ronald Hedin and his wife Carol of Whitman, his grandchildren Paul D. Smith, Kevin M. Smith, Patricia A. Smith, and Thomas F. Hedin, and his son in law Robert D. Smith of NH, as well as several great and great great grandchildren,also several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Norma M. Smith and grandfather of the late Deborah Archibald.
His funeral service will be held Monday December 7 at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman, followed by a mass at 9 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will be held at a later date. Visiting hours will be held Sunday December 6 from 2-6 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made for the benefit of Paul’s great grandchildren to the Harbester Children’s Fund C/O Mutual Bank Box 150, Whitman, MA 02382.