Obituary of Gordon Paul Johnson

On October 3, Gordon Paul Johnson, 79, died peacefully at his home in Belfast, Maine. The cause of death was heart failure.

Gordon was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 28, 1944. He was the second of two sons of Robert W. Johnson, an economist with the Carborundum Corporation, and Helen Call, a homemaker. Gordon attended public schools in Youngstown, New York, and colleges in North Carolina and New York, ultimately graduating from Harvard University in 1970.

Upon graduation, he continued working at his college job with Briggs Testing Company of Norwell, Massachusetts. He became a materials testing engineer, successfully expanding the company’s operations in Maine and eventually forming his own enterprise, Johnson-Briggs Testing Company of Maine. He also pursued a variety of property development projects throughout his career.

Gordon had a lifelong love of sailing and traveling. He traveled widely in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, spending many winters on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, where he owned a historic estate, known as Glen Mohr. His home in Montserrat served as a mecca of winter hospitality for his many friends and extended family over the years. He had an infectious appetite for adventure, always seeking out new experiences in far-flung places.
 

He is survived by his sons David Campbell (Jill), of Toronto, Alex Johnson (Aubrey), of Sykesville, Maryland, and Evan H. Johnson of Weems, Virginia; a brother, Jeremy Johnson, of Sarasota, Florida; and four grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, remembering the family in thoughts and prayers is greatly appreciated.