Roger Lewis Johnson Sr, age 93, of Barefoot Bay, FL, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2024 with his son, Roger Jr and daughter, Jackie by his side. Roger was born December 22, 1930 in Newark, NY to parents, Edna Lanse and Lewis G Johnson. He was a long-time resident of both Barefoot Bay, Florida and the Newark, NY area. He spent the majority of his life in Newark, NY which he considered his home.  He graduated from Newark High School Class of 1948 and subsequently attended St Lawrence University until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1951.  Roger also married High School sweetheart, Elizabeth Burdick in 1951 and returned to Newark to raise his family.

Roger Sr. is survived by his beloved daughter, Jacqueline A Johnson of Newark, NY and Sebastian, FL, his friend and son Roger Jr. (Carol) of Newark, NY and companion Bet Mielbeck of Barefoot Bay, Fl. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jessica Richmond, Mindy Richmond, Bryan Johnson (Lindsay),  Jason Johnson (Claire), Colin Johnson (Emily) and Catie Johnson Luckman (Dion) and great-grandchildren Evin(9), Addy(7), Zuri(3), Nya (2), Kientzy(2), Raelyn(1) and twin babies A and B due in May.

He was sadly predeceased by his daughter, Victoria Anne Johnson (1972), his first wife, Elizabeth, “Betty” Johnson (1996) and his second wife, Evelyn Cummings Johnson (2008).

Roger loved playing and watching sports of all kinds throughout his entire life. He was an accomplished and much awarded scholar athlete while he attended Newark schools. As a young person, he also greatly enjoyed spending any free time helping his grandparents, Anna and Peter Lanse, on their muck farm in Marion, NY. In high school, Roger met and began dating his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Burdick. After graduating from Newark High School in 1948, Roger attended St Lawrence University on an athletic scholarship. He received many accolades, both academic and athletic, while there, including Athlete of the Year. In 1951, his college career was cut short when Roger enlisted and proudly served in the US Army as an intelligence officer for the newly formed C.I.A. He reported to Fort Dix, NJ and was later stationed in Frankfurt Germany.1951 also witnessed his marriage to Elizabeth Burdick. Upon discharge in 1953, Roger and Betty returned to the States to raise their family of 2 daughters, Vicky and Jackie, and 1 son, Roger Jr., in Newark, NY.

Roger loved his family. He was also very sociable. His years in Newark were family oriented and punctuated by much involvement in local clubs and organizations. Most notably he was an active member of the Newark Elks Club, the Newark Country Club and the Park Presbyterian Church. He was a great dancer! He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and boating on Canandaigua Lake, watching his children participate in sports (yes, cheerleading is a sport!),beating everyone at gin rummy, happy hours at the cottage and the camaraderie of many good friends during his life. He continued a family tradition of hard work and entrepreneurship by starting his own transportation company from which he “retired” in 1991 when he fulfilled a life dream of purchasing a home in Florida with his wife, Betty. Roger was a great storyteller and loved regaling his grandchildren with his war stories, athletic endeavors, pranks, travel and dining experiences and of course, his fishing exploits of which there were plenty. While these years were filled with much joy, he also saw great sadness as he said goodbyes to his young daughter, Victoria, and his wife of 43 years, Betty. After Betty’s death he found comfort and love with their long-time mutual friend, Evie Cummings. They married in 1997 and thoroughly enjoyed summers on Canandaigua Lake and winters in Barefoot Bay, FL hosting many friends and entertaining all the grandchildren until Evie’s death in 2008.

In later years, as Roger’s physical health declined, he cultivated his creative side by constructing and painting beautiful and unique birdhouses. A true Renaissance man, he loved to read his Kindle and do puzzles. He continued to keep his mind sharp and even helped his son by performing monthly accounting tasks right up until his death. His later years were most importantly, highlighted by the enduring companionship of his special friend, Bet Mielbeck and the selfless care giving of his kind and devoted daughter, Jackie.