John L. 'Jack' Johnson Sr., 76

ALEXANDRIA — After a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, John L. "Jack" Johnson Sr., 76, of Cass Mill Road, died Saturday, April 2, 2016, at home, surrounded by many family members. Jack was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, the son of Lawrence Peter and Virginia Louise (Weschrob) Johnson. Jack graduated from Dedham High School in 1957 and shortly afterwards met and married Joyce Francia Holm of Roslindale, Massachusetts. After marriage, Jack and Joyce moved to Medfield, Massachusetts, eventually relocating to New Hampshire and residing in Northfield, Bristol and, ultimately, Alexandria.

Although he left this life far too soon, Jack made the most of the time that he was here. Building upon a passion he had learned when he was a kid, he worked for many years as an automotive mechanic for several greater Boston auto dealerships, and then as a truck mechanic for the Town of Walpole, Massachusetts, DPW. Eventually he followed a dream and started up his own automotive repair shop in Tilton in the early 1980s. Jack sold that business and embarked on a new career becoming the proprietor of All Seasons Septic Service. He also worked for United Parcel Service for about 20 years before he "retired" prior to 2010.

One of his favorite pastimes was spending winters with Joyce and all of their friends from around the country, who invaded Vero Beach every winter to escape the cold north winds. At the time of his death, Jack was still operating All-Seasons Septic Service along with his grandson and partner, Brandon Reynolds. Jack was the patriarch of the Johnson clan and he will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

Jack is predeceased by the love of his life, "Joycie," who passed away in December of 2015. He is survived by his son, John "Chip" Johnson Jr. and his wife, Tammy, of Northfield; daughters: Lisa Henry and her husband, Gary, of Concord; and Shelley Reynolds and her husband, Charley, of Alexandria; seven grandchildren: Nicole Pescinski and her partner, Michael Scaranari, of Gilford; Joshua Reynolds and his wife, Tiffany, of New Hampton; Ross Johnson and his wife, Kaylyn, of Northfield; Cory Johnson and his wife, Joy, of Northfield; Brooke O'Rourke and her husband, Patrick, of Concord; Brandon Reynolds and his wife, Kassie, of Hill; and Nicolas Reynolds of Alexandria; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Kali Griffin; Lucas, Colton and Kileigh Reynolds; and Ryan, Haley, Chloe, Ava and Lindsay Johnson. He is also survived by two sisters and their husbands: Joan and Calvin Ramsay of Bristol and Stephanie and George Ings of Florida, three brothers-in-law: Donald Holm and his wife, Elaine, of Milford, Massachusetts; William Holm and his wife, Evelyn, of Norwood, Massachusetts; and Anthony Holm of South Boston, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Emmons Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St., Bristol. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 7, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Grace Chapel of Holy Trinity Parish, 2 West Shore Road, Bristol. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Alexandria, where he will be reunited with Joyce once again. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or through the personalized gift fund page established in Jack's honor at www.stjude.org.