NORRIDGEWOCK – John Howard Johnson Jr.’s family is heartbroken to announce his passing, but we are so grateful to have had the best husband, father, son, and brother. John died peacefully on August 19, 2024 among his family and friends at camp on Embden Pond.

John’s parents, John “Jack” Johnson and Carol Johnson (Kibiger), welcomed John to the world in Elmer, N.J., on Oct. 22, 1965. He lived in Clayton, NJ until he was 10, and then his family moved to Anson, Maine where he lived until age 13. Eventually, his family moved to Skowhegan, Maine where John attended Skowhegan Area High School, graduating with the class of 1984.

John was a proud member of the US Air Force, which he entered the August after his high school graduation. He attended bootcamp at Lackland Air Force Base as a member of the 256 Honor Flight. He attended missile systems training and was eventually stationed at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, ND.

Upon leaving the military, John attended Central Maine Technical College. He received an Associates Degree in the Electrical Program on May 12, 1990. John was hired at Otis Specialty Papers in Jay, Maine. He started as a turbine operator. He eventually joined his father, Jack Johnson, and brother, Brian Johnson, at Sappi. He was later able to work with his youngest brother, Duke Johnson, after his father retired.

John also loved being a member of the Skowhegan Madison Elks club, and he will be remembered for good times with his friends and helping others. John enjoyed gathering with friends for poker parties and weekends away up north with his buddies. John also knew the value of helping others and really enjoyed his experience doing electrical work with the Pine Tree Camp and donating food to the food cupboard.

Most importantly, John always said his greatest blessing was meeting the love of his life, Marie, in 1989. After spending some time writing to one another and some long distance phone calls, he flew to California to bring her home. He married her in January of 1991. Brian Johnson was his best man and Laurie Dennison (Schinzel) was Marie’s maid of honor. John and Marie raised two daughters, Brooke Nicole and Caitlyn Raye. Later, John quickly grew to love Brooke’s husband, Matthew Libby, as family and was thrilled to be there for the first year of his granddaughter, Amelia’s, life.

John was predeceased by his father, John “Jack” Howard Johnson, Sr., and his brother, Deron “Duke” Johnson. He leaves behind his wife, Marie Johnson; daughter Brooke Libby and her husband Matthew Libby, daughter Caitlyn Johnson, and granddaughter, Amelia Libby. In addition, John leaves behind his mother, Carol Johnson; brother Brian Johnson and his wife Stephanie, sister-in-law Christy Johnson, brother-in-law Keith Schinzel, sister-in-law Laurie Dennison and husband Eric Dennison; and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.

John’s family would like to thank their community, friends, and family for their support as John battled cancer. A special thanks is also extended to John’s Sappi family. In addition, we are incredibly thankful for John’s hospice nurses and social worker.

John’s celebration of life will be held at Bigelow Brewing Company on Sept. 28, 2024 at 2 p.m.. A formal ceremony will begin at 2:30.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

Maine Veterans’ Homes

in John’s name