ALMOND-Paul Thomas “Butch” Johnson, 79, passed away Tuesday
evening (June 27, 2017) at his home on Karr Valley Road. Born in Hornell on March 26, 1938, he was the
youngest son of the late John and Helen (Kelleher) Johnson. He married his
wife, Sandy, 27 years ago, and she resides in Almond.
Paul and his
brothers, Roger and Gene, served the first Mass ever celebrated at St.
Brendan’s Church in Almond. He and his family grew up in the house that is now
St. Brendan’s Rectory.
A week after
graduation from high school, Paul went to work as a fireman for the Erie
Railroad on the Susquehanna Division. In 1959, he was drafted into the U.S.
Army and served 16 months in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned
to the United States and to working on the railroad; he also attended Alfred
State College and Monroe Community College.
Pursuing a career in
Law Enforcement, he served from 1963-1965 as a Village Police Officer in North
Hornell and in November of 1965 he received an appointment as a Trooper for the
New York State Police, serving nearly 24 years before retiring at the rank of
an Investigator in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI). From 1989 to
1994 he was a licensed private investigator and he also served as an Almond
Town Justice for 10 years.
Paul was a member of
the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440 in Hornell for more than
50 years, and a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 for nearly 50 years.
He was also a member of the Almond Lions Club for over 30 years, a member of
the Hornell Association, a member of the N.Y. State Troopers, Chapter Baron
Steuben, and a member of the famous “Muhleisen’s Coffee Crew” for over 50
years.
He was the “Head Man”
at the Hair Zoo in Hornell and loved to go on cruises with Sandy and sit on his
deck drinking beer watching Mike Crandall mow the yard.
Besides his wife,
Sandy, he is also survived by a daughter, Angela Yanni, and grandchildren,
Morgan Tobin, Cole Yanni, Ali Yanni; son, Joseph (Nichole) Day, and
grandchildren, Garrett and Alivia; son (deceased), John Day (Elysia), and
grandchildren, Julia Day and Brittney Weakland; sisters, Pat Reichert and
niece, Jennifer of Connecticut, Arlita Barnes and nieces, Michelle and Jackie
of California; his brother, Gene Johnson (Rita) of Rochester; brothers-in-law,
Mark Larnard (Donna) and David Larnard (Chris). He was predeceased by his two brothers, Leo
and Roger Johnson.
The Bishop &
Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Paul
Thomas “Butch” Johnson.
Calling hours are 5-8
p.m. Friday (June 30, 2017) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285
Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to meet his family at St.
Brendan’s Church in Almond, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
at 11 a.m. Saturday (July 1, 2017) Committal prayers and interment, with full
military honors, will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Almond. The New York State
Police will provide an escort to the cemetery.
The United States
flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson FuneralHome, Inc. in recognition of Paul’s military service.
In lieu of flowers,
those wishing may contribute in his memory to Homecare and Hospice, 1225 W.
State St., Olean, N.Y. 14760-2135 (www.homeare-hospice.org). Envelopes for
memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
