Carl Vernon “Vern” Johnson, age 78, beloved husband of 53 years to Sheila (Erbter) Johnson of Milford, entered peaceful rest on October 19, 2019 surrounded by his family at Yale New Haven Hospital.
He was the son of the late Helge and Vera (Carlson) Johnson and was born on December 5, 1940 in Waterbury, CT. His family soon moved to Devon where he was raised. After graduating from Milford High School in 1958 he served with the US Navy on the USS Kearsarge flying as a sonar man on Sikorsky helicopters. Along with his wife, they owned an Amway Direct Distributorship.
This good, kind and loving man was most happy joking and visiting with family, friends and his special group of Move Program VA buddies. Buying his first boat at the age of 12, he explored the creeks and waters of the Housatonic River, and later sailed the waters of Long Island Sound and beyond with his first mate, Sheila. He was a member of the Housatonic Boat Club, the Windjammers Sailing Club, Milford Power Squadron, the Fairfield Gaelic-American Club, the Milford Irish Heritage Society of Milford and the American Legion Post #196. He was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Milford and very proud of his Swedish heritage.
In addition to his loving wife, Vern leaves his three devoted children, Carl Eric Johnson of Manhattan, NY, Scott Edward Johnson (companion, Emy Famataro) of Wayne, NJ and Kerstin Johnson Yocis (Brian Yocis) of Medford, MA, two grandsons, Vijay Johnson and Dillon Johnson. He is also survived by sisters, Claire Smith of Holiday, FL and Ingrid (Michael) Brown of Land O Lakes, FL, sister in law, Sharon (David) Jackel of Devon and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Alice Lorraine Pratt, brothers in law, Ronald McKenna, Robert Smith, Edward Thomas Erbter, Jr. and Roydon Shaw Pratt, II and Uncle James McAleavy predeceased him.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 26th, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the GREGORY F. DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 291 BRIDGEPORT AVENUE, MILFORD with Military Honors. Interment will be private. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion Post 196, 25 Merwin Avenue, Milford, CT 06460. To share a memory, please go to www.gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com
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