Gregg Howard Johnson
Meriden - Gregg Howard Johnson, 57, died peacefully of complications from leukemia on Monday, August 16, 2004 at home surrounded by the love and comfort of his wife and daughter. He was born October 3, 1946 in St. Paul, MN a son of Howard and Marlys (Gerber) Johnson. Gregg grew up in Lindstrom,MN and graduated from Lindstrom High School in 1964. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business from Gustavus Adolphus College in St.Peter, MN in 1968. His career took him from Minnesota to Utah to Connecticut as manager for Travelers Insurance Company for 30 years. Most recently he was Manager of Consumer Affairs and Health Information for Hartford General Hospital in Connecticut. Gregg loved music, reading, swimming, gardening, Minnesota sports, swing dancing and vacations with his family, especially visits to his beloved Lindstrom. Gregg appreciated the love and support from family, co-workers, caregivers and his dogs, Bella and Lucy. He will be dearly missed. Gregg is survived by his wife, Jean M.Vong, a daughter, Kate Johnson of Ohio, his parents, Howard and Marlys Johnson of Minnesota, a sister Gail Johnson, a brother, Kent and his wife, Janet Johnson, in-laws Mary Ann and Bob Evander, John Vong, Chuck and his wife, Arta Cheney all of Minnesota and Jim and his wife Fran Cheney of Wisconsin and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 21 at Chisago Lakes Evangelical Lutheran Church in Center City, Minnesota. Relatives and friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in North Branch Cemetery in Minnesota. Arrangements under the direction of BEECHER & BENNETT FLATOW FUNEAL HOME, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT.
Gregg was my step-dad during the most impressionable years of my life. It\’s no surprise that he left a loving, positive and warm impression. I am so grateful to have had him in my life. I regret we hadn\’t been keeping in touch in recent years, therefor I was unaware of his illness. Howard, Marlys, Gail and Kent, my heart and thoughts are with you. Jean and Kate, although we haven\’t met, I know you are both amazing women. Gregg spoke so highly of you both. I was happy to know he had you in his life. My deepest sympathies are with you. I want to thank Gregg for the wonderful memories (swimming, softball, Saturday Night Fever, Urban Cowby), for supporting me in all of my crazy endeavors and for loving me like his own daughter. I regret that he didn\’t get a chance to met my incredible husband, Andrew and beautiful daughter, Madeleine. With Love, Lisa DuPaul Moran
Gregg, you are greatly missed by your CT friends. A great person and a great dancer. Our condolences to your family. Ken
Hi. I was saddened to hear about Gregg. I worked as the lifeguard at Windingbrook for several years in the late 1980\’s. I saw Gregg on a regular basis when he came for his almost daily lap swims. He was always very happy and cheerful and always took the time to say hello and see how things were going. I remember how overjoyed he was when Kate was born. I was there when he brought her for one of her first swims! He was one of the few residents who waved to me almost every time he drove by the pool. My sympathies go out to your family at this difficut time.
I met Gregg (and Jean) through dancing in Connecticut. Gregg always was a gentle man and was very gracious. I recall how concerned he was for Jean on September 11, 2001. And how grateful he was that she was okay. Gregg also spoke of his daughter. How very proud he was of her. To the two lovely women in his life, I send my condolences, my heartfelt sypathies. To his family and friends, how very fortunate we were to know this kind, gentle man. One of the last e-mails I had received from Gregg is very telling. Even though he was going through so much, Gregg closed with .Thanks for caring.. .Yes my life is better left to chance I could have missed the pain but I\’d of had to miss the dance.. Peace my friend Joan Albert
I was sorry to hear of Gregg\’s illness and passing. I worked with him at the Travelers for many years. My condolences to his wife and daughter, Kate and entire family.
I would like to extent my condolences to Gregg\’s family, especially his wife, parents and daughter. I was saddened to read of his death in the newspaper yesterday. I knew Gregg as a patient in MidState Medical Center. I visited him a number of times and was always impressed with his insights, strength, faith and willingness to seek healing. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to be with him during those difficult times. I am grateful for our time together and pray that he found the peace he was seeking. May God bless you with peace and comfort– and may the love you shared continue to be a source of strength and inspiration in the days ahead. You remain in my prayers. God Bless you all, Doreen Bottone, Chaplain 8/20/04
Jean and family: My deepest sympathy to you on Gregg\’s death. As managers at Hartford Hospital we worked closely together until he became ill. He had a wonderful outlook on life and was always a perfect gentleman – a role model for us all. He is greatly missed.
My deepest sympathy to Greggs family. I worked with Gregg at Medicare and I will always remember him as a gentleman, a real sharp dresser and a good friend. He will be missed.
My God bless you and comfort you at this time of sorrow. I was saddened to hear of Gregg\’s passing. I worked with Gregg at Medicare and I will always remember his gentleness. My deepest condolences to his family.
On behalf of St. John Lutheran Church in Meriden, CT, I send my prayers for all of you who will miss Gregg\’s presence. I only got to know Gregg a few months ago while he was still having lots of battles physically. I\’m glad I got to be with him before he left Gaylord, and share Holy Communion together. We rejoice in his Heavenly welcome, but we sorrow that the earth has lost one so special. In His love, Pastor David Brinkley
To Gregg\’s Family, Gregg and I served together on the Church Council at St John\’s in Meriden in the late 1990\’s and became good friends. I have many fond memories of times we spent together, including times with both our daughters — both of whom are named .Kate.. Although we did not remain in touch over the past several years, I knew of the happiness Jean had brought to his life and the great joy he always took in his daughter Kate. The last time we spoke he was recovering from colon cancer and I was glad for him that he had .beat it.. I am so sad for you all that he was unable to recover from his last illness. Gregg was a wonderful man and may you find comfort in the memories you hold dear. Karen Harris and daughter Katie Harris