Obituaries

C. Lewis Johnson

Clair Lewis (Lew) Johnson, died June 12 in Greenport. He was 88 years old.

C. Lewis “Lew” Johnson

Born Aug. 7, 1924, in Jackson Heights to Inez and Clair V. Johnson, he was raised in Larchmont. He joined the U.S. Navy as a radio technician during World War II, returning to finish his degree in electrical engineering and business at the University of Michigan.

In 1947, Mr. Johnson married his high school sweetheart, Mary E. Martin of Larchmont. Married for over 60 years, they raised their children in Hackensack, N.J., where Mr. Johnson participated in local government and school issues, serving as president of the Board of Education. He was active in the New Jersey Naval Museum in Hackensack and was instrumental in the acquisition and restoration of the submarine USS Ling 297. He worked for the Otis Elevator Company for four decades, retiring from the international sales division.

Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Barnes Landing, Amagansett, living in a home they had designed and participating in the Barnes Landing Association, of which he was president for a time. He also worked part-time at Village Hardware in East Hampton.

Mr. Johnson spent much of his life on or near Long Island Sound, family members recalled, sailing out of Larchmont Yacht Club and later, Wilson Cove Yacht Club in Rowayton, Conn., on his beloved boat, Truant, and later, Truant Too. He also enjoyed clamming and fishing in the waters of Gardiners Bay and, according to his family, is remembered by friends and neighbors as always being willing and eager to help with any handyman repairs.

After nearly 20 years on the South Fork, the Johnsons moved to Peconic Landing in Greenport.
Predeceased by his wife in 2008, Mr. Johnson is survived by three children, Catherine and Bruce, both of Medford, Mass., and Deb Bicher of Encinitas, Calif.; a sister, Barbara Rugg of Santa Fe, N.M.; and four grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Amy Elizabeth, predeceased him in 1964.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 10, at 2 p.m. at Orient Congregational Church. Interment will be in the family plot at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, N.J. Arrangements are being handled by Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

Memorial donations may be made to Barnes Landing Association, Lew Johnson Memorial, P.O. Box 756, Amagansett, NY 11930 or Peconic Landing, c/o the Employee Appreciation Fund, 1500 Brecknock Road, Greenport, NY 11944.