Obituary of Joseph Benjamin David Johnson

Joseph Benjamin David Johnson Jr., “Poppy”, “SuperJoe”, “Big Joe”, “Sonny”, 56, of Greenwich, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at his home in Grant, FL, with his loving wife, Rebecca who was always by his side, following a courageous 2 year battle with brain cancer. Joe was born May 18, 1961 to his father Joseph B.D. Johnson and his mother Helen V. Johnson (Caza). He grew up in North Hudson, NY on a junkyard, working hard and learning much alongside his father who was a master mechanic and town judge. As a kid he would go on calls with his Dad in the wrecker to assist people in need, separate the scrap metal, ride around and politic in the Adirondacks, and fix up old cars in the junkyard so he could run around in them burning up his daily one gallon of gasoline that his father would give him. Joe was the oldest son and grew up with his siblings, Jack Johnson and JoAnn Johnson. His mom and dad often had many other relatives residing with them over the years. Joe graduated from Schroon Lake High School in 1979. He loved to play basketball and was very athletic and competitive. Joe often admitted that while very capable in school, instead of college, he chose to work hard and earn a living using his hands and many talents. Joe worked at Frontier Town as a boy, and dressed up as a cowboy robbing the stagecoach and train. He went on to haul wood with the log trucks for Shufelt and had many good memories hauling with Bill Boulette. Joe also worked a few years for Bud Rodick and years later would often stop by after moving from Schroon Lake to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Rodick, whom he always spoke very highly of. Joe never forgot all the wonderful people who touched his life. From his childhood, friends Craig Dezalia, Bruce Caza, Joe Hart, Kevin Moses “Red”, Paul Provancha “Pudgy”, and Bill Lohrman, just to name a few. In the early 80’s, Joe met his wife, Rebecca and they had 1 daughter, Cassie. In 1987, they moved to Greenwich, NY and bought their first home where they resided to date. Joe and his family spent many years returning to Schroon Lake on the weekends to enjoy family, boat, waterski, play horseshoes and gather with many great friends at the Scaroon Manor. Joe began his career working construction for Barry Bette and Leduke (BBL), building highways and bridges. He finally settled in with Tioga Construction where he worked for 25 years on so many jobs across Upstate, New York. He was a talented heavy equipment operator, and he built a reputation over the years as the go to guy to move the dirt, demolish the bridges, and to get the job done. Joe loved his Tioga Family, and it gave him so much pleasure to work with each and every one of them. He worked long hard hours, spent years on the road living in hotels, and built many lifelong friendships with his coworkers. As the years passed, he just wanted to be close to home with his daughter, Cassie and wife, Rebecca, “his girls”. Joe often drove 2 to 3 hours each way just to be home each night in his own bed, after a long days work. Joe’s passions were his family and new grandson Noah Joseph. Joe loved to be at home working on projects and running his excavator, which was his dream toy. He also loved building anything and everything out of hardwood, including making beautiful tables for so many people over the years. Joe loved his fast cars. His first car was a 1971 Dodge Charger, which he still has today. He also has a 1957 Ford Fairlane, which he turned into a hotrod and liked to take it out for a spin. He enjoyed cooking on the grill, relaxing at the pool, taking the dogs for a ride with their heads out of the window, listening to his music on his Pandora station, drinking a cold beer, and socializing with his many friends and neighbors. Joe loved life everyday and always tried to do his very best. He was very intelligent, witty, and had a kind and gentle soul. He always had a smile on his face and had an incredible sense of humor. He was the most loving, caring, and chivalrous Husband, Father, and Poppy. Joe was loved and admired by everyone who knew him and he will be deeply missed. Life on the mountain will never be the same without our Joe. He took great care of everyone and we often joked and called Joe “The Mayor of Easton”. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Rebecca Baker-Johnson, his daughter Cassie, her husband Daniel and grandson Noah Joseph Karbalaeali, all of Greenwich, NY, his mother Helen Johnson and companion Patrick McVeigh of Melbourne, FL, his sister JoAnn Johnson and nephew Takota of Cocoa, FL, his sister June Siebach of Rochester, NY, his (brother) Michael Baker of Pottersville, NY, and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Joseph Johnson, his brother Jack Johnson and his sister Marie Hunter. A private cremation will take place and at the convenience of the family a Celebration of Life will be held at Longfellows, 500 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 on Saturday, April 21st from 12 to 4 pm. All are welcome to join the family to celebrate Joe’s life. The family wishes to give a special thank you to Dr. Susan Weaver and Dr. Tyler Kenning of Albany Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care shown to Joe during his illness. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers that you plant a tree in Joe’s memory and think of all the good times. Or if you wish to give a donation, to find an organization that is helping others in their fight for a cure to cancer.