ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Jim Johnson. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend. He has touched our lives and we will remember him forever.

December 13, 2023
December 13, 2023
Well today is your birthday. I only wish that you were here to celebrate. You would have been 79 today. How I miss you. (We probably would have gone out for dinner then had cake with the family.) There is so much happening that we could have shared.
I came to Mark's the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate Thanksgiving with him as we had done for years. This year Jarrid and his wife, Angel, came to Mark's too. We had a very good time.
Now Christmas is coming and you know there is a lot going on with that. But, a lot has changed too. Except for Jess and Jake, we are all going to Jarrid and Angel's for Christmas. You know how I feel about Christmas. Everyone is getting older and the grandchildren's lives are all over the place. I was thinking back to when Jimmy and Mark were younger and we would travel to Pa. for Christmas and New Year. I can remember the first Christmas we could not do that trip. I was a bit melancholy, but, we started our own traditions. As we got older we became a part of Jimmy and Karen's traditions. Well, even now there are changes coming. Such is life. 
If you were here, you would see these changes as we got older together.
Happy Birthday. I love you always.  
September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023
Well, Jim when we were at the PennBay hospital and we found out what was to come, ONE of the things you said to me was, "I hoped to see what would become of our Grandchildren".  Well they have become wonderful adults. There are two big events in their lives and our family. One was last October 6,2022, when Jessica got married. The other will happen tomorrow, September 2,2023, when Jarrid will marry. 

I didn't write anything before Jessica's wedding as I didn't think to do it. So, I am going to write about it now. Jessica was a beautiful bride. I wish you could have seen her. You were aways so proud of her as was I and I still am very proud of her. Remember the summer she came to Maine with us for two weeks. Those weeks were so fantastic. She took sailing lessons and we had such great conversations with her. She married a very nice young man, Jake Johnston. Jake is also in the Army. They make a wonderful couple and compliment each other so well. Jimmy and Karen did an amazing job with planning the wedding. It was beautiful. They worked long and hard on it. I'm sure you would have been officiating if you had been with us, but, Eric took your place and he did you proud. He did a great job as you can imagine as Eric is always right on top of everything.

Tomorrow it is Jarrid's turn. If you were here you would be thinking of the times you carried him through the church cemetery for walks and laying on the couch with him sleeping on your stomach. Then, there were all the games you went to see him play. You loved when he would come up to the house and talk with you. Right now he is teaching diving and military tactics at West Point. You would have loved talking with him about these topics He is such a wonderful man. He is marrying a lovely woman, Angel DiPietro. She is a lawyer. They have SOME of the same sports interests. No one could match Jarrid when it comes to sports interests. Eric is the Best Man at the wedding. Again as you can imagine his responsibilities as Best Man were unmatched.

As always, I love you and will be thinking of you and how proud you would have been to see our grandchildren's lives developing. 
August 5, 2023
August 5, 2023
Today was the the 7th year that you have been gone from us...... but not in our hearts. I wish you could see the amazing family we started. You will never be gone from our hearts. We all love you so much.
Every night I look out my window for the stars, because many years ago I had a dream about you and the stars and now I think of you when I look up to the sky. Last night I was looking out the window for the stars as I do every night but there were none showing. But tonight there are stars in the sky and I walked out on the deck searching. I wondered what I could say that was different than what I have said in the past, but truly the words are alway there. "I will always love you. You are the Love of my Life and I miss you every day of my life." Because of the qualities that were so true to your life, I learned so much and I think about those things all the time and how they effect decisions I make. I was recalling some of those qualities with a friend yesterday. I am so thankful that God allowed me to have you even though it was a shorter time than I would have liked it to be. You are my love and I will always love you.
August 5, 2023
August 5, 2023
Thinking of you a lot lately. Maybe because kids are older, Jessica married now and Jarrid’s upcoming wedding. I think about our last words and the promise I asked of you. Thank you for that.  I miss you and you will forever be in my heart.❤️❤️❤️
December 13, 2022
December 13, 2022
Happy Birthday Dad! I miss you very much❤️
December 13, 2022
December 13, 2022
Happy Birthday Dad! You are forever in our hearts.
December 12, 2022
December 12, 2022
Another birthday has come. Tomorrow we would have been celebrating your 78th birthday. Most likely it would have been our usual at BJ’s and followed with a birthday cake with the family. We will all remember you in our hearts and the many wonderful times. We wish we would have had you longer. We reminisce on so many stories. I always looked to you so many times for advice as did the rest of the family. We knew it would be good, honest advice.
I miss you so very much. I remember in those last days you saying while the boys had been somewhat settled in their lives, how you hoped you would see how your grandchildren would grow and what they would do with their lives. Well there have been many very special events in their lives of which you would have loved being a part. 
I miss you being a part of my life in things I do, but, you are always in my heart.
I will love you always.
August 5, 2022
August 5, 2022
Missing you especially today. Tonight we celebrated you with pizza and crisp pepperoni topping. Finished off dinner with a glass of Port. ❤️❤️
December 13, 2021
December 13, 2021
Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope you are able to be there when we can't. Miss you.
August 5, 2021
August 5, 2021
Dad,
I hope your spirit is experiencing amazing adventures and ongoing peace. You are missed by your family every day. I love you. ~ Jimmy
May 26, 2021
May 26, 2021
Tomorrow would have been our 57th anniversary. I'm thinking of all the anniversaries we shared. I miss you every day and all the sharing of every day. You will always be in my heart.
December 13, 2020
December 13, 2020
Went snowboarding out here in CO and temperatures were hanging below zero. Everyday has been freezing cold so got all bundled up today and ended up sweating so much! Made me think of all the layers of flannel and Columbia you’d always wear no matter how hot it was outside. I don’t know how you did it. Miss you all the time. Happy birthday, grandpa.
December 13, 2020
December 13, 2020
December 13, 2020

It is hard to believe another birthday has come. I miss you. This has been a rough year and would have been much easier if we could have shared it.
You are in my heart always and I will always love you.
August 7, 2020
August 7, 2020
Dear Family, 

Be proud, share memories and think how Lucky and Fortunate you were to share your life with this Very Special Man. And the best part is that he loved each and everyone of you and every day he showed it. 
He is Missed!
August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020
Missing you Dad! I am hoping you are on a great adventure! I love you.
August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020
Another year has passed since you left us. However, your presence is everywhere here in this place in Maine and forever in my heart. I think of you every day and every night of my life. The loss is just as great and the pain is just as deep. It will always be there. It is only my faith in God that I endure that pain. I look back at so many things you did or said or ways you acted or advice you gave, or a look you gave. I could go on and list so many things but I miss it all. Looking back, I wish I would have shown you how much those thing meant to me. It is too bad that we forget to acknowledge how we feel until it is too late. As much as I wish there were more, I am just so grateful that God gave me over 52 years to share with you. I will always love you.
December 13, 2019
December 13, 2019
Even though you left us three years ago, this is actually the fourth year of your birthday since you are gone. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you and miss you. I think of so very many memories. In one way they make me very happy and yet on the other side I miss those times that made the memories. I never gave thought that the time would come to us when we would be apart. Yet here it is. No matter how much time goes by I will always and forever love you!
August 5, 2019
August 5, 2019
Dear Shirley and Family,

Find comfort that Jim is happy knowing that his Children and Grandkids are all doing well. There is much to be proud of. And Shirley knowing you as I do, you made him feel important and very much loved.
August 5, 2019
August 5, 2019
To Jim and Karen and the rest of the Johnson family: Your dad and husband is gone but not forgotten. You are very blessed to have had him in your life. On the anniversary of his passing, you should take comfort in the fact that he is in heaven continuing to do God's work and that you will be seeing him again!
Take care of each other,
- Adam.
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
It is hard to believe that in a few hours it will be three years you have been gone. Every day I think of you and miss you. When I am up in the barn and in your shop, I think of you and how you enjoyed working in there. I think about that night I came to get you for dinner and you were standing at your workbench examining a tool. Every project called for a new tool. I never thought there would ever be a time when you wouldn't be there. I never thought I would ever be without you at my side. I will forever love you.
December 13, 2018
December 13, 2018
Happy Birthday, Grandpa. Missing seeing you in your red fannel jacket.
December 13, 2018
December 13, 2018
Today would be the 74th birthday of the man who is and will always be the love of my life. He was a man of strong faith and character. He lived with integrity. I could not have found anyone better to share my life for more than 52 years. He taught me so much. He encouraged me at all times. He listened to me and I could always count on his support. He loved his boys, his daughter-in-law and his grand children. One of his regrets was that he would not see how their lives would develop. No matter how busy he was through our life together, he always made time for us. I read a quote that was written on a headstone in Ireland that I found very true. It read, "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves memories no one can steal." I will always have that heartache. But there are so many wonderful memories that I will never forget. They live in my heart as does he.
August 5, 2018
August 5, 2018
It’s weird to think we’ve hit another year. I miss you everyday and think about you all the time. There’s so many reminders of the life you lived and many of them I find within my passions that you’ve instilled in me.
I’ve started using your camera. I’m taking some beautiful pictures with it and trying to learn all the manual settings. I think you would like what I’ve shot.
Love Always
August 5, 2018
August 5, 2018
Dear family, Never forget this wonder man is not gone for he lives inside your heart every day. We all miss him.
May 13, 2017
May 13, 2017
Reverend Johnson made a tremendous impact in shaping my spiritual journey during my youth. I will forever be grateful for the dedication of both Jim and Shirley, while serving at Searsport Methodist. Those were the best years.
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2016
We are so saddened by Jim’s passing. We will miss our many discussions with him. No matter what we discussed, we were always left with more insight of the topic than we had before we started our conversation. Jim was truly a man that possessed much knowledge and yet was so humble. Our prayers for God's comfort are with Shirley and her family.
Love, Don & Shirley
September 22, 2016
September 22, 2016
Thinking of you, Shirley, and your family at this sad time. All the wonderful memories gathered through the years are yours to keep forever. Hugs, Cookie Davies DeWire
August 28, 2016
August 28, 2016
A candle was lit by Doug Haydak on August 27, 2016 12:56 PM
August 26, 2016
August 26, 2016
Message from Nancy Ann Callender August 22, 2016 5:10 PM

Boy did I love Jim Johnson! I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. I wish you all peace in spite of what must be a terrible loss.
August 25, 2016
August 25, 2016
I first met Rev. Johnson back in the early eighties. I became one of his students in his first confirmation class. Through the years, he and his family became treasured friends to my family. He always seemed to have a good understanding for people and was always able to make connections no matter who they were. He was my teacher. He spoke at my high school graduation. He officiated my wedding. He came to check on me after I had a car accident. He was a man of the people, he was an incredible minister and I know he will be missed.
August 24, 2016
August 24, 2016
My grandfather passed away several weeks ago now, but every time I try to write this I write it as if it’s a letter I am will send him. However, he can’t receive these kind of letters anymore and that simple fact is hard to understand.
Grandpa Johnson was without a doubt one of the most important people in my life and has truly shaped me into the person I am today. He was a man of God and dedicated his life to not only his family, but all those who surrounded him. This wasn’t just shown during his time in education or as a reverend. This was demonstrated in his every day life.
I remember going to the grocery store late one night with my grandma and grandpa, we were kind of in a rush so it was an in-and-out kind of deal. My grandpa spotted this young man stacking oranges and decided he was the perfect person to strike up a conversation with. He sat there for 20 minutes (big travel delay) learning about this kid’s life and aspirations, then at the end he gave him some of his invaluable advice and parted ways. This was a common interaction for my grandpa, and some of you reading this may have experienced it yourself.
He was continuously trying to teach me new things, from self defense (Karate) on the staircase landing to perspective art techniques at the high-top table. He would challenge me to Sudoku puzzles and make sure I thought I was the smartest kid ever. He was proud of every art project I did and marveled at each of them, even when it just mixing the perfect color for rust. He taught me basic skills for home renovation and put them to the test on his own home.
Most importantly, my grandpa cared deeply about my moral and spiritual development. We would sit for hours discussing what I believed in and how I thought things should be, and he would never push his opinions on me. He would offer me guidance, but never to hinder my own path of self-growth. Days before I headed off to report to Beast Barracks at the United States Military Academy, my grandpa sat me down to talk about faith. This time in a much different respect than before. He wanted to make sure I believed in something. He truly felt that if I believed in something, I would never be alone and could always find the strength I would need to make it through any tribulations I may face. Every year, I find his words to be truer.
I have so many memories I want to share with everyone, because my only regret now is that I never got to introduce him to everyone in my life. I wish you all could have known him and in the manner I had. I am thankful that so much of him lives on through me and my brothers. I am thankful that my parents made him an integral part of my life because he has been the best mentor and influence I could have ever hoped for. I am thankful I got to video chat with him from Portland, OR while he was at the hospital in Portland, ME because that was our last conversation before he unexpectedly passed away. I will always miss him.
August 24, 2016
August 24, 2016
Shirley , Jimmy, Mark, Karen, Jarrid, Eric and Jess
So sorry! I will miss Jim. He was so proud of his family and especially his grandchildren. He was a grandfather that was 100% involved in their lives. May all the memories be a comfort.
August 24, 2016
August 24, 2016
Our loss is heaven's gain. Rev. Johnson was an integral part of my life when I was a young wife and mother. Spiritual guidance at that point in my life was essential! My prayers go out to Shirley and the whole family as well as gratitude for sharing him with us all those years.
August 23, 2016
August 23, 2016
We were deeply saddened to hear of Rev Jim's passing. Our thoughts and prayers extend to the Johnsons and all those touched by Jim. We only have fond memories of growing up in his presence, and having him officate our wedding and baptisms for our kids. He will be dearly missed. ~ The Chins of Ipswich
August 21, 2016
August 21, 2016
Message from The Panczyk Family August 18, 2016 7:09 PM
Dear Mrs. Johnson,

We wish to extend to you, and your family, our deepest sympathy on the passing of your husband, the Reverend James Johnson.We recall how energetic Reverend Johnson was in his role as the pastor of our Tappan Reformed Church, and his personal interest in all the members of the congregation. Our children, Matthew and Elizabeth, benefitted greatly from both his attention and his warm-hearted Christian message as did both Fran and I . With love to you.
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
A candle was lit by Frank & Marcia Wong on August 18, 2016 9:57 AM
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
A candle was lit by Marilyn, James, David, Steven, Robyn Leong on August 18, 2016 6:39 AM
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
A candle was lit by Doug and Carolyn Chin - Sending Love and Prayers on August 18, 2016 12:04 AM
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
A candle was lit by With Love - Mitch, Mary, Calvin & Maddie - we miss you. on August 17, 2016 11:08 PM
August 19, 2016
August 19, 2016
A candle was lit by Steve & Ginny Chin on August 17, 2016 10:39 PM
August 18, 2016
August 18, 2016
Message from Connie Beltran August 17, 2016 8:26 PM

Dear Shirley and Family,

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your dearest husband , I share your sorrow and ask God to give you the strength and comfort you need in this vey sad difficult time of your life.

With of my love

Connie
August 17, 2016
August 17, 2016
Message from Elaine Royal August 16, 2016 4:38 PM

Deepest sympathies to you and you family, Shirley. So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers- Elaine Royal
August 17, 2016
August 17, 2016
Message from Joanne Fernandez August 16, 2016 2:18 PM

Such memories of Jim! Shirley, I don't think I ever met you, but I can only imagine what it must have been like to live with and love Jim. Our paths crossed numerous times over all the years with the RCA and what I remember most is that he made me laugh and he made me shake my head......such depth he had but I always had to think about it. Bottom line, he was a character! Your whole family will be in my thoughts and prayers.......we never get over the loss, we get perspective. Blessings.
August 17, 2016
August 17, 2016
Message from Rev. John VandenOever August 16, 2016 2:17 PM

Shirley and family, I was so saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I have great memories of working alongside him. I think I picked up a great deal from him on how to minister with a tough skin--but one that would let the love flow in and out. God bless and keep you.
August 17, 2016
August 17, 2016
Message from Tom Danney, former pastor Reformed Church, Nyack. Clerk of Rockland Westchester Classis August 16, 2016 1:04 PM

Shirley and family: I was away for couple weeks and came back to news of Jim. So very saddened; I have nothing but good and fond memories of our connection through the Classis of Rockland Westchester. Sorry we were not able to maintain closer ties in his retirement. He always had something thoughtful and useful to give when we spoke.

I sent out this morning an email letting others in classis know of his death and I shared some of the obit notes on him. The "cowboy at heart" comment will bring smiles to our colleagues. As clerk of the Classis of Rockland Westchester, I will gladly share any news from you about the memorial service. Blessings on you and the family...our prayers of support are with you all.
August 16, 2016
August 16, 2016
Our deepest condolences to Shirley and Family. May you all be comforted from loving memories of a fine and gentle man who loved his family. He was interested in all people he came in contact with, but his family came first. What a life he led. Be proud of the legacy he left. Love to all...Barbara and David
August 16, 2016
August 16, 2016
""Message from Lisa Stifelman August 12, 2016 12:00 PM

So sorry Karen and Jim. Sending all our love to you and Jimmy's mom and Mark. I have fond memories of visiting their home in Rockland, especially the night before Jimmy joined the air force. Hugs.
August 16, 2016
August 16, 2016
"Message from Jeff Gold August 15, 2016 12:04 PM

We were very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Please extend our sincerest condolences to Jim, Shirley, Mark and the rest of the family. I hope you and the kids are comforted by the fact that you had great relationships with him and that he had a close and loving family.
August 15, 2016
August 15, 2016
It is with a heavy heart that I write. Our loss is heaven's gain. The TRC family led by Jim (with lots of help from you, Shirley
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December 13, 2023
December 13, 2023
Well today is your birthday. I only wish that you were here to celebrate. You would have been 79 today. How I miss you. (We probably would have gone out for dinner then had cake with the family.) There is so much happening that we could have shared.
I came to Mark's the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate Thanksgiving with him as we had done for years. This year Jarrid and his wife, Angel, came to Mark's too. We had a very good time.
Now Christmas is coming and you know there is a lot going on with that. But, a lot has changed too. Except for Jess and Jake, we are all going to Jarrid and Angel's for Christmas. You know how I feel about Christmas. Everyone is getting older and the grandchildren's lives are all over the place. I was thinking back to when Jimmy and Mark were younger and we would travel to Pa. for Christmas and New Year. I can remember the first Christmas we could not do that trip. I was a bit melancholy, but, we started our own traditions. As we got older we became a part of Jimmy and Karen's traditions. Well, even now there are changes coming. Such is life. 
If you were here, you would see these changes as we got older together.
Happy Birthday. I love you always.  
September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023
Well, Jim when we were at the PennBay hospital and we found out what was to come, ONE of the things you said to me was, "I hoped to see what would become of our Grandchildren".  Well they have become wonderful adults. There are two big events in their lives and our family. One was last October 6,2022, when Jessica got married. The other will happen tomorrow, September 2,2023, when Jarrid will marry. 

I didn't write anything before Jessica's wedding as I didn't think to do it. So, I am going to write about it now. Jessica was a beautiful bride. I wish you could have seen her. You were aways so proud of her as was I and I still am very proud of her. Remember the summer she came to Maine with us for two weeks. Those weeks were so fantastic. She took sailing lessons and we had such great conversations with her. She married a very nice young man, Jake Johnston. Jake is also in the Army. They make a wonderful couple and compliment each other so well. Jimmy and Karen did an amazing job with planning the wedding. It was beautiful. They worked long and hard on it. I'm sure you would have been officiating if you had been with us, but, Eric took your place and he did you proud. He did a great job as you can imagine as Eric is always right on top of everything.

Tomorrow it is Jarrid's turn. If you were here you would be thinking of the times you carried him through the church cemetery for walks and laying on the couch with him sleeping on your stomach. Then, there were all the games you went to see him play. You loved when he would come up to the house and talk with you. Right now he is teaching diving and military tactics at West Point. You would have loved talking with him about these topics He is such a wonderful man. He is marrying a lovely woman, Angel DiPietro. She is a lawyer. They have SOME of the same sports interests. No one could match Jarrid when it comes to sports interests. Eric is the Best Man at the wedding. Again as you can imagine his responsibilities as Best Man were unmatched.

As always, I love you and will be thinking of you and how proud you would have been to see our grandchildren's lives developing. 
Recent stories

Christmas 2021

December 25, 2021
It is Christmas Day.  You are truly missed but in our hearts always.  Just your presences made us aware of what Christmas is all about.  You did not like the commercialism of Christmas but you put up with it because of me.  You would spend hours putting up the outside decorations because it was something I liked.  However, when Christmas Day came, you enjoyed the family and participated in the fun.  When the kids were little you enjoyed the toys too.  We have a picture of you down on the floor with Jarrid when he was a little boy exploring his toys.  And you always appreciated the gifts too.
I was reading in my daily readings this morning from one of Billy Graham's Daily Devotions.  I read something that I really never thought about in this way.  He referenced  Luke 2:7.  "She brought forth her firstborn Son and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  He then wrote "No room for Jesus (God).  No room for the King of kings.  No, but room for others and for things.  There was no room for Jesus (God) in the world that He had made - imagine!"  He then wrote,"........are we in danger of excluding from our hearts and lives the One who made us". He finishes with a verse from a hymn, "Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for you."  You reminded us of this every Christmas of what Christmas was about.  
I know that I get caught up in the Christmas season of decorating and gift buying, but as I was watching our family  last night on Christmas Eve, eating, talking, playing games, having fun and sometimes arguing that this is what this time should be about for us.  This is what would make you happy too. 
Our family is growing.  You would enjoy what is happening.  What started with us is now growing into the bigger part of us.  I am so proud of our sons and families and I know you would be too.  
I love you as much as ever on this day of Christmas!

Birthday Message December 13, 2021

December 13, 2021
Another birthday!  It doesn't seem possible that this is the sixth birthday you have not been with us to celebrate.  So much has happened this year.   I have made some updates on our home in Maine.  Of course updating always brings some problems which you would normally have taken care of.  This was now up to me. Then there were some personal problems.  You would have been there to support and take care of me.  Unfortunately, but fortunately for me, I had to call on family for help. That is a very hard thing for me to do.  Now it is time for me to make more changes.  I hope you would agree with these changes because I have struggled and prayed for a long time about what to do.  I never thought I would have to make a decision like this because I thought you would always be with me and we would make decisions together and live out our dreams and plans together.  We never know what life will bring and what God's plan may be for us.  Loosing you certainly threw me for a loop. There is a song that plays on the radio called "Scars in Heaven".  It always makes me think of you. As the song reflects, if I had known what was going to happen, I would have done or said some things so differently.  But there are no "would ofs or should ofs' now.   I miss you so very much.  You are always in my heart and on my mind.

Anniversary

May 26, 2021
May 27th would have been our 57th Anniversary.  As I was thinking about our anniversary a story came to mind that happened on our anniversary many years ago, when the boys were very young.  One of Jim's hobbies was photography.  I thought I would surprise him with a new developer.  However, I was waiting for him to see if he would remember it was our anniversary before I gave him the gift.  We had dinner and I started to clean up and was annoyed with him that he didn't offer to help.  Therefore we got into a little tiff.  I truthfully don't remember what was said, but I still didn't say anything about it being our anniversary. He made a comment basically that I was thinking of myself.  So I went and got his gift and set it on the table and said something to the effect that this is how I was thinking of myself. There was complete silence.  Jim did not say one word, but it was obvious that he was feeling very badly.  He thanked me and kept apologizing.  Truthfully, I was just happy that I could surprise him with something he really liked. Jim never forgot an anniversary again.  In fact he never forgot any special days ever again. As I have gone back over some of the things he had written, I realize from his writing how he always tried to make certain he and I had time together......and he often planned something special on those occasions.

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