Waterford – Charles “Chuck” Michie Johnston, 72, of Waterford, beloved husband of Gwen (Pianta) Johnston, was finally set free on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, after many years of being a prisoner of his own body. Chuck was born to Dorothy (Evans) Johnston and Charles M. Johnston, on Aug.
2, 1946, in Wilmington, Del. He graduated from Penns Grove Regional High School Class of 1964 in New Jersey. He was an adamant tennis player and during this time he achieved State Tennis Champ status in 1964, where he went undefeated in the Tri-County Conference.
Later he attended Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania for teaching, where he met his wife and many lifelong friends. Between 1968 and 1969 he taught in a Correctional Center in Washington, Pa. and during that time, on his 23rd birthday, he married his college sweetheart on Aug.
2, 1969. Soon after they moved to Waterford, where he found his first full time teaching position at Quaker Hill School as a fifth grade teacher, where he was lovingly remembered as “Mr. J”. Simultaneously, his wife Gwen also obtained a first grade teaching position in the former Jordan Elementary School in Waterford.
He then received his master’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State College. During his tenure, he had two sons. This led him to coaching various youth sports.
He was an active AFT union member, helped run “Sheep To Shawl” on Jordan Green, and served in the local RTM. He is fondly remembered by the Quaker Hill community as a summer playground supervisor for many years. After teaching 31 years in Quaker Hill, he decided to retire in June 2001 due to health issues.
In retirement he was involved in several Park & Recreational positions, as well as, working part time at the deli counter at Stop & Shop in Waterford where he often greeted former students, colleagues and friends with his smile and sarcastic humor. For over the last three years, he resided at Bayview Healthcare Facility in Waterford. During this time, in a place that didn’t feel like home, he made some friends and had some great caretakers that treated him with compassion and dignity until his last days.
It was a tough transition losing his independence. Fortunately, he was able to spend quality time with his grandson, wife and ultimately “Jailbreak Saturdays” where he had a burger, visited numerous breweries and listened to some of his favorite Doo Wop. Chuck had a great, sarcastic and quick-witted personality.
He wasn’t afraid to tell you how it was. An amazing teacher, a fantastic and loving father, husband and friend. He loved many and was loved by all.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen, of over 49 years; son, Christopher; wife, Julie; and grandson, Nicholas of Monroe; son, Brian and wife, Erin, of Waterford; brother, Doug and wife, Kathy, of Wilmington, Del. ; brother, Darren and wife, Kathy, of Newark, Del. ; brother-in-law, Robert Pianta and wife, Carolynn; sister-in-law, Cindy Filacchione; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic, with a service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Mr. J’s Future Teacher Scholarship Fund”, Payable to: Waterford High School Scholarship Fund, C/O Kirk Samuelson, 20 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford CT, 06385; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.
stjude.org).
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
