James R. Johnson
April 4, 1944 ~ May 13, 2022
DANVERS- James Richard “Jim” Johnson, 78, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022, following a brief illness.
Born in Gloucester on April 4, 1944, he was the son of the late Sam and Fran (Watters) Johnson. He was raised and educated in Gloucester and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1962. He played defense on the All-Star Hockey Team and remained passionate about hockey throughout his whole life. In his younger years, Jim operated his own commercial lobster fishing business. He also delivered gas for Eastern Propane in Danvers, where he retired in 2014, after over 30 years of service. Most recently, Jim was employed as a crossing guard for the Town of Danvers; it was a job he truly loved. Throughout his life, Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was absolutely passionate about his time spent on the water fishing. Jim rode the tides of life. He casted and hooked many with his kindness and enormous smile. He was larger than life on all levels.
He is survived by his daughter, Jill Mandia, his granddaughter, Paige Mandia and his former wife, Laura Johnson all of Essex and his special friend, Julie Williams of Danvers. He was predeceased by his sister, Charlotte “Skip” Walsh.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Jim’s name to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Ln, Gloucester, MA, 01930; www.capeannanimalaid.org.
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We loved your dad! The world won’t be the same without him😔
Sincerely Karen and Don
Harwood❤️
My sincere condolences to the family & Jewls, our & I mean mine &(Donnie)deceased friendship was a fun filled , laughter always time. Jim’s broad smile & shining eyes will always remain at the top of my list of attributes to him. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. God Bless ❤️
I had the pleasure of working with Jimmy at Eastern. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say. He left a big hole when he retired from Eastern. He was loved by so many customers that he delivered to. He continued to visit Eastern after he retired and we always looked forward to his visits. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all her loved him.
Thank you for being cool, Uncle Jimmy! Sincere condolences to family and friends. 🙏🌹🕯️
Jimmy lived with my family and I for a long time. We unfortunately watched his illness inside and out. He was a part of the family for over a decade, and I can truly say he was like a grandfather to me. The only thing I can say is that we are glad that he is finally at peace following the health issues he had endured within the past 2 years. My sincere condolences to Jill, Julie and the rest of the family. A great, GREAT man and the most gentle of souls. Grateful my daughter Aurora had the opportunity to grow up with him as her “Great-Grandpa Jim”. He will be so missed and remembered for eternity. May he now rest easy.
He left us with so many great memories, fun times camping and biking. He had such a great smile, enjoyed life to the fullest. RIP Jim you will surely be missed.❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
He restored my soul! Blessed to have gotten to know him and his gentle ways.
One of the nicest guys you’d ever meet. Whoever wrote in his obituary “Jim rode the tides of life” hit the nail on the head! The things he had done!! Rest In Peace, Jim. You will be missed by everyone that was lucky enough to call you their friend!💙
I don’t know where to begin, first off condolences and prayers for the family. Jim was my cousin and all thru our growing up years we had a blast whenever we got together…seemed inevitable that whenever we were together “something” would happen, we’d either break something or one of us would get hurt…we drove Jim’s mom, my aunt, Aunt Fran crazy but I think she actually liked our various incidents!..as we got older and into high school, Jim was 3 years older than me but I still played against him 1 year in the Cape Ann Junior Baseball League…I used to revile in the times our little old team from Rockport beat up on Jimmies team..good for discussion…my most fun memories was going to Lynn Areana and watching Gloucester hockey games..if you folks don’t know my cousin was a pretty good defenseman and used to love watching Jimmie put a winger from the other team into the boards…fun times..so sad to hear of Jimmies passing but this I know I will never forget all the great times and fun we had…RIP cuz…your Cuz Terry
I hope Jim is making waves in a no wake zone!
Boy oh Boy did Jimbo and I have some times togeather. GOLF WEEKENDS ,SMELT FISHING,OR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE WAS AN ADVENTURE WITH HIM. AND NO MATTER WHAT HE DID HE DID IT WELL, any sport, hunting, fishing. Skeet shooting , anything he did But he was an expert at having a good time and laffing ! Later my great friend !
Thanks Cal. I love your post.
Thank you Terry.
Cal Iam sure you could write a book but then again, only a few could read it.
Jim you were one of a kind a great man a great friend we had some super camping trips and out trip to Notre Dame was super you will be missed rest in peace
who can forget our camping trips to Canada and Maine the fun we had riding our motorcycled all over gods creation and or trip to Notre Dame what a time you were the best
He was a fisher of men
Amen!