Warren E. Johnson

Peterborough, NH Warren E. (Swede) Johnson, 92, of Gorham, NH, died on February 3, 2015 in Peterborough where he was surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Berlin, NH on December 3, 1922, the son of Ernest and Alice (Olson) Johnson. He was a 1940 graduate of Berlin High School, and resided in the Berlin Gorham area all of his life. In 1943 Warren enlisted in the 86th Mountain Infantry Regimen, 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. He trained in Colorado prior to deployment. He served with distinction in the North Apennines and the Po Valley earning the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Eame Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, and Purple Heart. For the remainder of his life, Warren was most proud of having been a member of the 10th. After World War II, he returned to Berlin where he worked for Brown Paper Company, and its successors, until his retirement. His lifelong love of the outdoors drew him to the Woods Division of the Company where he worked for many years as the camp clerk, traveling from woods camp to woods camp to do payroll and camp accounting, with his trusty beagle riding shot gun. As luck would have it, there was always an hour or two for a little fly fishing or hunting before a true woodsman's dinner. From the Woods Division, he moved on to be the Fire Marshall for the Company, and then supervisor of the Cascade storehouse until he retired. He loved the time he spent on Lake Umbagog with family and friends at his camp "Hedgehog", fishing for trout, salmon and pickerel until the "damn bass spoiled the fishing". During this time, Warren was an active member of the Cascade Volunteer Fire Department rising to the rank of Asst. Chief until his retirement just a few years ago. First with his wife Joan, and after her passing, with Theresa Lessard, he traveled the world, from Canada to Hawaii, the Caribbean to Australia, from the Fjords of Norway and Sweden to China and Argentina, and places in between. In addition to the time he spent in the outdoors, Warren also enjoyed the time he spent in the kitchen cooking and baking, and sharing his fudge. He took great pride in giving back to the community and devoted a great deal of his time to community service, working for numerous not for profit agencies, including among others RSVP, and the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, volunteering more than 6700 hours. He was a wonderful mentor, friend and role model to all who had the privilege to share any time with him. He will be sorely missed. He is survived by Alexandra G. Crocker, of Weare NH, considered by him and all others as his granddaughter; nieces and nephews: The Honorable Martha Crocker, with whom he had a father daughter relationship, and her husband, Jeffrey Crocker, Esq. of Peterborough NH; John W. Ramey,III of Berlin and Walpole, Ma.; William and Karen Ramey, of Crofton, Md.; Erik and Victoria Paine of N. Darmouth Ma.; Alison and Robert Grinwis, of Kennett Sq. PA; Paul and Beverly Ingersoll, of Berlin, NH.; and his brother-in law Rufus "Jim" Paine, of N. Dartmouth Ma:, He is also survived by his very special friend, Theresa Lessard, of Berlin. Warren was predeceased by his loving wife Joan (Fabisiak) Johnson in 1991, and his sister, Cynthia (Johnson) Paine. A celebration of Warren's life will take place in the spring and details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Warren's memory to the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, NH

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