DUDLEY - Donald A. “Gus” Johnson, 75, of 9 Tanyard Road, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge.
He leaves his wife of 53 years, Frances M. (Krouse) Johnson; two sons, Kenneth P. Johnson and his wife Katherine of Haverhill and Brian A. “Chop” Johnson of Dudley; and two grandchildren, Spenser and Brandon Johnson.
He was born in Webster, the son of Gustave A. and Alice (Lamonda) Johnson, and lived in Dudley all his adult life. He atttended Bartlett High School. In the 1950's, he served in the National Guard rising to the rank of sergeant. He was deployed on active duty in the aftermath of the Worcester tornado and the flooding of Webster in 1955.
Mr. Johnson was employed for more than 25 years at Cranston Print Works Company in Webster where he was president of Local 1751 of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union. He also served for many years as president of the Southern New England Joint Board of the union. He fought for fair treatment of the workers in the union and worked with management to implement new manufacturing practices that improved products and preserved jobs. He retired in 1999.
Gus was for years an avid hunter and fisherman. In his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, following the Red Sox, collecting coins and baseball cards, and visits from his grandchildren.
Calling hours and funeral arrangements are private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, is directing the arrangements.