Cary Lee Johnson

BELGRADE LAKES and St. Petersburg, Fla., – Cary Lee Johnson passed away unexpectedly on June 11, 2023. His family is deeply grateful for the dedicated team that did their best to save his life at his home in Rome, Maine, with him later succumbing at the hospital from heart issues. Cary’s love of life will not end with his death. His family and friends will continue to honor his legacy by deeply caring for others and living their lives to the fullest, exactly the way he would have wanted them to.

Cary was born in Waterville, Maine on May 21, 1947, to Albert and Lydia (Farnham) Johnson. His father was a house painter and caretaker, and his mother opened the Brass Knocker Gift Shop, which she ran for over 60 years. From both of his parents, he learned the value of a dollar and hard work which he carried with him through life and passed down to his children. In the fall of 1951, Cary’s parents boldly moved to a little hamlet of 300 people in Boca Raton, Florida, starting a lifetime tradition of wintering there and summering in Maine – a tradition that Cary would adopt later in his life. Starting school each year in Maine and finishing in Florida, Cary learned early on the importance of building friendships and being adaptable. He graduated high school in 1965 and attended Florida Atlantic University, majoring in Business Administration.

Cary’s career was diverse. As a young boy, he started off in the family’s bait business. At the age of 16, he worked nights at the local funeral home as a rescue worker and parked cars on the weekends at the local country club. In college he worked in manufacturing for IBM, eventually moving into sales after graduating college. In 1972, IBM transferred Cary to Boston where he continued a successful sales career for many years until 1984 when he joined Progress Software – a small startup company – as one of its first employees. He worked his way into senior leadership roles and was instrumental in taking the company public. After he retired from Progress and took a few years off, he founded Open Meadow, a highly regarded General Contracting business that built and renovated custom homes. He loved the detailed, day-to-day operations and working with clients. He sold his business and retired in 2022. Although proud of his many professional accomplishments, Cary believed they all paled in comparison to what he described as the single most important achievement of his lifetime – his children.

Cary’s interests evolved over the years from bird hunting in Maine with his father to learning and enjoying the game of golf, where he was a member of the Waterville County Club. While most of his hobbies centered on camaraderie, he recently began and enjoyed woodworking. Whether you were a friend, family member, colleague, or a near stranger, people loved Cary’s easy-going manner, friendly smile, and genuine interest in all they were willing to share. His calming demeanor, positive outlook, and passion for helping others made him a natural and sincere friend to many. He was a mentor – both personally and professionally – to what must have been hundreds of people, the majority of whom still refer to him as one of their dearest or best friends.

Cary is survived by Lynne, his loving wife of 19 years; his two daughters and their spouses, Kimberly and Andrew Dallas of Belgrade Lakes, Maine and Amanda Johnson and Russel Jesski of St Petersburg, Florida; his son Scott Mayo and his new bride Jen Mayo of New York City. He was the proudest “Gpa” to his “Gson” Christopher Jesski of Boston and granddaughter Olivia Leigh Jesski. Cary is also survived by his sister Carol Johnson of Belgrade Lakes; his brother Christopher Johnson of Kittery Point; his uncle Juss; first cousins Rod, Ernie, Duane, Dawn, Peter, their families; and numerous other cousins. His surviving mother-in-law Velma; his brothers and sisters-in-law Susan, Ira, Toni, Mitch, Steve, Melissa, and their families loved him from the very beginning as one of their own.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 24, at 1 p.m., at the Union Church of Belgrade Lakes, 67 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes, with a celebration of life following at 194 Main Street.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.” – Rumi, Sufi mystic.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at: http://www.lawrybrothers.com

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland, ME

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Belgrade Fire and Rescue Association, PO Box 404, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918

American Heart Association PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692

Belgrade Lakes Association, PO Box 551, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918