In Loving Memory of Herman Johnson

Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, to Margaret Ellen Childers, Herman Johnson began his life surrounded by love, laughter, and a big family. He spent much of his childhood in the care of his beloved maternal grandparents, Mary and Octavius Johnson, whose home became the center of his earliest memories. He often reminisced about sitting by the window with his grandmother, eating fried fish fresh from the pan, feeling that nothing in the world could compare to her cooking or her love.

Life on Mill Street was humble in a two-family home lit by kerosene lamps, a bucket upstairs for water, and a young boy who knew the rhythm of the railroad tracks by heart, making daily trips to fetch water. At his mother’s home, he was one of nine siblings, learning early the importance of family, sharing, and resilience.

As a boy, Herman found joy in simple things: playing softball with the Salvation Army, tossing horseshoes, or shooting pool at his Uncle Brother’s. He and his friends A.V., Leonard, Percy, and James were inseparable, always in search of fun and, at times, a bit of trouble. At 16, a youthful mistake taught him an early life lesson, one that would shape his character for years to come: “Be respectful and take care of the family.”

Determined to live by that motto, Herman began working to support his mother and siblings. His first job was at a nursery at 17, thanks to his uncle, who saw potential in him. That experience gave him his lifelong work ethic, summed up simply as, “Just do what I have to do.”

At 18, he became a butcher, but more importantly, around that same time, he met the love of his life, Juanita Johnson. The two first crossed paths at 17 and shared their first kiss on the porch of his grandparents’ house, a memory he carried with him always. That same year, he lost his grandfather, a moment that deepened his resolve to build a strong, loving family of his own.

Together, he and Juanita raised three children: Dana, Herman, and Hope. They created a home built on laughter, hard work, and faith. When the family moved to Stamford, Connecticut, Herman embraced the change with optimism, saying, “A change in environment means a change in perspective.” He worked wherever manpower was needed, always putting his family first.

Eventually, he learned the sheet metal trade, in a company in Wallingford, Connecticut, that built parts for the government. He stayed with that company until he retired. There, he found lifelong friends from his coworkers Sam, Lorenzo, and the two Georges.

Beyond work, Herman had a lifelong curiosity and a surprising love for technology. Whether it was computers, tablets, or gaming systems, he often had the latest gadgets, sometimes before his grandchildren did. He made sure to have them so they could play together whenever they came to visit, turning his home into a place of laughter, competition, and connection across generations.

His grandchildren cherished their "Poppop". And their presence gave him vitality and joy. He is survived by 5 grandchildren: Shantel Kelly, Justin Johnson, Tyeshia Johnson, Natasha Johnson, and Octaviuas Harris. And 4 great-grandchildren: Khiyon Johnson, Messiyah Boone, Justin Johnson Jr., and Aurora Johnsaon.

Herman is preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Michael. He is lovingly survived by his siblings Irene, Barbara, Deborah, Gary, Gloria, Margaret, Howard, and Janet. He lived to have 26 nieces and nephews, 64 great-nieces and nephews, and 31 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Herman’s story is one of grit, growth, and family. From a boy on Mill Street with a bucket and kerosene lamps to a man who built a life defined by hard work, love, and legacy. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his respect for others, and his unwavering devotion to his loved ones. Lessons he lived and passed down to all who knew him.

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