Leroy E. Johnson, Jr.

Groton, Massachusetts - Leroy (Roy) E Johnson Jr, 94, a lifelong resident of Groton, died Friday, Oct. 6th surrounded by his loving family. Roy was born in Groton on Dec. 9th, 1928. He was the son of the late Leroy and Claudia (McClain) Johnson. He graduated from Groton High School in 1945. After high school, Roy developed a strong interest in aviation, obtaining his pilot’s license and attending flight school in Illinois. His favorite plane to fly was a seaplane, frequently spending summers flying in and out of lakes in NH. He also had a large model plane collection. 

|Roy was very involved in the Groton community. Being too young to serve in World War II, he taught a firearms class to new recruits in the basement of the town hall. He was active in the Boy Scouts and very interested in survival skills. At the age of 15, he was hired by the town to work at the fire station, answering phones and sounding the alarms for the fire and police stations. This fostered his love of all things fire and rescue, and in the 1950's, he became a founding member of the first Groton Rescue Squad. He served as an EMT and rescue chief for 50 years, teaching first aid, CPR, EMT training, and rescue techniques. As Rescue Chief, he worked closely with Groton Civil Defense. He served on the Board of Health, was an active member of the Historical Society, and belonged to the Groton Minutemen, marching in the annual Memorial Day parade for many years.

 

Roy was employed as a Tool Maker and supervisor in an experimental development shop at GenRad in Concord, Ma, retiring in 1986. After retiring, Roy was employed at the Groton Public Library as a maintenance handyman.

 

A true outdoorsman, he loved skiing, skating, biking, hiking, running, canoeing, swimming, scuba diving, and camping. He shared his love of these activities with his four daughters. 

 

Roy was predeceased on Feb. 17th, 2022, by his beloved wife Marie, with whom he shared his love of travel and adventure. He leaves behind his daughters and their spouses: Donna, widow of Alvah Deforge of Devens, Lisa and Alan Davis of Dunstable, Karen and George Brackett of Groton and Crystal (Boucher), and Sam Collins of Westminster. He leaves 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and his former wife, Connie (Graves) Johnson of Brewster. He is also survived by his late wife Marie’s children: Paula, Lisa, Cathy, Sheryl, and John. 

 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity or volunteering in your community.