Jeffrey Johnson

Jeff was born April 5, 1944, at Bradford Hospital in Bradford, Pa., to Lynn Ellsworth “Ellie” and Evelyn Gannoe Johnson.

He was a 1962 graduate of Bradford Area High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University in 1967, and a master of business administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968.

Shortly after graduating from Drexel, Jeff worked for Harza Construction wiring the new power station at Kinzua Dam. During a long career with Corning Glass Works, Taylor Instruments, and Philips Display Components, he travelled throughout the United States, and to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. He even traveled all the way to South Africa on business, during the 1980s. He lived and worked in Eindhoven, Netherlands from October 1994 through June 1995, where he was charged with writing the global strategic plan for Philips. He achieved the position of president of North American Operations for Philips in 2000.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, and by his former wife, Jacquelyn, whom he had married at the Bradford Methodist Church in September of 1966.

He is survived by his wife, Vera, whom he married in June of 1996 in West Bloomfield, Mich.; his eldest son, Newkirk Lynn Johnson of Warren, son, Chad Johnson (wife, Amanda) of El Cerrito, Calif., and son, Clain Johnson of Monroe, Mich.; his younger sister, Cheryl and her husband and Jeff’s lifelong friend, Marcian Bouchard of Washington, N.C.; granddaughter, Leah Johnson of El Cerrito; and nieces, cousins, and other relatives in the Bradford and Warren areas and beyond.

Traveling, being around lakes, and sailing brought Jeff happiness. During winter months he enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing. He grew up taking family vacations to Dewittville, N.Y., on Chautauqua Lake, where boating was a favorite family activity. He never lost his love for boating. As an adult he owned, sailed, and raced a variety of sailboats on Canandaigua Lake and Lake Erie. This was his passion. He was a member of the Canandaigua Yacht Club and the Monroe Boat Club. He was also an accomplished piano and bass player. During the early 1960s his “Brook Club Trio” frequently played at the old Brook Club on Bolivar Drive in Bradford. Jeff had a dry sense of humor and relished a good pun.

Jeff and Vera wanted people to know that during its onset, PSP can be tricky to diagnose. It is relatively rare, and symptoms can be mistaken for those of Parkinson’s disease. If you have a loved one who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but prescription medication is not alleviating symptoms, please have medical officials look into the possibility of PSP.

Jeff converted to the Serbian Orthodox Church in May of 2004. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroe, Mich., would be appreciated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service of Monroe, Mich.