Remembering Friends

 

Ronald P. Johnson

1936 - 2018

Ronald P. Johnson of South Windsor, CT passed away on July 7, 2018. Son of the late David L. and Barbara (Hayes) Johnson, Ron was born on September 13, 1936, in Fitchburg, MA. Along with his parents, Ron was predeceased by his brothers Barry and Louis Johnson. Ron spent his early years in Worcester and Shrewsbury, MA where he graduated Shrewsbury High School in 1956 and received higher education at Worcester Junior College and Clark University. Ron served in the U.S. Army for two and ½ years. After the Army, Ron served as head crew coach at Trinity College in Hartford, then continued coaching at Holy Cross and Assumption Colleges while working at Barre Publishers, Barre, MA. Barre published fine non-fiction books focusing on art, photography, Americana and folk art, and was nationally recognized for attention to fine design and production. In 1970, President Alden Johnson, with Ron (named Vice President in 1964) and a limited number of investors, founded the Imprint Society, a publisher of limited edition books for collectors. These books featured original signed graphics, fine paper and bindings, and custom slipcases. Each book was numbered and signed by the artist, and/or the editor. Ron served as president of both companies for two years before selling them to Crown Publishers in 1975. Following a brief stint as an administrator, directing the publications programs and other administrative functions for a national environmental consulting firm, Ron devoted his energies to his business "Time Past" as a dealer in antique clocks and period American Furniture of the 18th and 19th centuries until retirement in 2010. Ron's non-professional activities included: member of Long Range Planning Committee of Clark University, trustee of Worcester Jr. College, member of the development committee of the Worcester Science Center, past President and co-founder of Opera Worcester, Inc., chairman of the Architectural Design and Review Commission for the Town of South Windsor. From 2001 – 2010 Ron served as a trustee of CT Landmarks (formerly the Antiquarian and Landmarks Society) on the Governance and Collections Committees, then as Vice President and finally as Co-President. Memberships and affiliations: The National Trust for Historic Preservation Historical Deerfield; The South Windsor Land Trust; The Connecticut River Watershed Council; National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors; The Hartford Barge Club (an active rowing club); The Wadsworth Atheneum; and The Worcester Art Museum. Ron is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth (Betsy) Birdsall Johnson, by his sons Ron and wife Stacey of Worcester, MA, David and wife Tracy of Warren, MA, step-sons Todd T. Blake and Lidia Polda of Phillipston, MA, Thomas M. Blake and wife Jennifer of Willington, CT, sister Barbara Johnson Durkin and nieces Casey and Molly Durkin of Northborough, nephews Barry and Patrick Johnson, niece Gudrun Johnson and nephew Kurt Johnson, niece Erica Johnson, granddaughter Brittany Johnson, and grandchildren Shea, McKenzie, Kaylin and Derek Blake. A private "Celebration of Life" will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverfront Youth Rowing Program at Riverfront Recapture, 50 Columbus Blvd, 1st Floor, Hartford CT 06106. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Jul. 29, 2018.