Jeffrey Johnson, 45, formerly of Northford and Wallingford, after a valiant battle with ALS, passed away in Bristol on August 10, 2011. Son of Milton “Pete†Johnson and the late Patricia Johnson. Jeff was a 1983 graduate of North Branford High School and attended Southern Connecticut State University. An avid athlete, Jeff participated in a variety of sports throughout his lifetime. In his earlier years he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. Later, if Jeff was not pounding the pavement in any number and length of road races, including 16 marathons and hundreds of 5K and 10K road races, he could be found on a river paddling in a canoe race or paddling his leg in a triathlon as part of the NRT Express Triathlon Team. Jeff was also a proud member of the Warren Street Running Club. In his spare time Jeff might be found on the softball field or the bowling alley. Jeff’s mother was one of his biggest fans. His father was always proud of his son’s accomplishments especially as he faced his most difficult challenge of all. A die hard Yankee and NASCAR fan, but there was no more a devoted Bruce Springsteen fan. Jeff worked for Gallo Wine Distributors for over twenty years and until his illness for Brescome and Barton. Besides his father, Jeff is survived by his daughters Kelli, Colleen and the joy of his life Cassidy “Puj†of Wallingford, his proud and supportive brother Michael Mezerewski (Kathy) of Northford, and his cherished sister Kara Johnson of Wallingford, a niece Caitlan and nephews Kyle and Cullen Mezerewski. In addition are, his “wife†and devoted soul mate Darcy Smith and “son†Connor. No one could ask for a better friend than Tony Leonardi whose friendship has flourished for over twenty years. He will also be missed by his uncles, aunts, and cousins. Jeff was predeceased by his beloved mother Patricia and his maternal grandparents Frances and Dorothy Donnelly and his paternal grandparents Milton and Marge Johnson. In addition, Jeff leaves numerous friends and caregivers that have been touched by his attitude and fortitude as he faced his courageous battle with ALS. A special thank you to all of you who took the time to make a special trip to Bristol to visit with Jeff, sharing a story, a smile or just holding his hand. A very special thank you to Jeff’s caregivers at the Village Green of Bristol, if Jeff ever had to be alone we knew he was in the best of hands. You will forever be in our hearts. The greatest honor you could give Jeff is to live life as Jeff did, right up to the very end, through courage, kindness and smiling through adversity.
A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven, Monday August 15th at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow in Northford Cemetery. Family and friends may call at North Haven Funeral Home on Sunday August 14th between 3-7 PM. In lieu of flowers and to honor Jeff’s courageous battle please make contributions to ALS CT Chapter, 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4, Milford, CT 06460 in Jeff’s memory.
Darcy, Pete, Mike and Kara and family.
It was a long battle, but now Jeff can rest in peace with Pat. God Bless
Kara… My thoughts are with you, family, and everyone who loves Jeff and he loved in return. He is an inspiration to many and he will never be forgotten.
Jeff is now with his mother Pat and his cousin Danny. Light and Love to you all. You are and will continue to be greatly missed but not forgotten.
Pete and Family,
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. You are in our prayers at this most difficult time.
Frank & Diane Ardolino
Such a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Although we never met you, we know from your
sister Kara what a great guy you were. You fought a
tough fight and you gave your all and now it’s your time
to watch over your family. Our prayers
and sympathy go out to all of your family Jeff.
I know we’ll meet someday in heaven.
So sorry for you loss, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
jeff, u are an inspiration to all of us, u have fought so hard. we have lost contact through the yrs. but one day we will meet again. until that time run your butt off in heaven . u will be missed by all. rest in peace.
to the family , i am so sorry for your loss, may u find comfort in knowing hes not in pain and finally at peace.my thoughts and prayers go out to u.
To Jeff’s family…He was an amazing person to all who knew him. Jeff will be missed and never forgotten, especially for his valiant and courageous fight against ALS. It was an honor for me to join JJ’s Pit Crew and participate in a walk (i wish i could have done more)
I wish you all peace and comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering and is now with God. He can finally rest and live eternally in your (our) hearts…
Love to you all ….
It was my honor to know Jeff through his father. He inspired us with every thing he did. I watched as he finished the Boston marathon and a triathlon with his brother, Mike. As the years passed, he smiled all the time. I will miss you, Jeff.
Jeff was the best!
We are so sorry for your loss Darcy and Connor and all of Jeff’s family
God bless Jeff and all his family and all his family and friends.
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.! So sorry for your loss.
Deepest condolences on your loss.
I will miss you my freind, You have fought the ultimate battle with pride and dignity. God must have inspired many to run this morning in your honor. As I have never seen so many runner in our neighborhood on a Saturday morning as I did today. God bless you and your loved ones.
Words cant describe the courage and the strength you possessed in life rest in peace brother.
My deepest condolences to the family on a great loss and prayers and love for you all and may Jeff’s soul rest in peace as he is God’s Hands.
Vik
Darcy, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Jeff had something special as a couple. Keeping you and Jeff’s family in my prayers. Love, Cheryl
d
darcy
What a valiant fight and a brave journey. Jeff never complained. He inspired all of us to be more courageous and to reach a higher level. He taught us without words. He inspired all who knew him to a better understanding of what it means to be alive and what it means to love.
i love you dad
Jeff was a special friend. We had some good times together at GWM. He was always in my thoughts. He fought a losing battle but did it still smiling to the end.
My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
What a wonderful life and person !
Very sorry for your loss,my prayers go out to your family. I know what it is like to lose some so close to you. Again Very sorry for your loss.
“Johnsons”, we will miss you. Rest in Peace.
Kara and family, Our thoughts are with you in this tough time.
Kara, Mike, Pete, Cassidy, Darcy, Connor, and to all of Jeff’s family members and friends, my profound condolences to all of you. I love the sentence in the obituary about “The greatest honor you could give Jeff is to live life as Jeff did, right up to the very end.” As was the theme of the story for The People’s Press, “Live like you were dying,” perhaps this is one of the most important lessons that Jeff gave all of us. Live life to the fullest today and then each day that is again today! I am honored that I had the great opportunity to meet Jeff and get to know him a little bit. I think it is fitting that it is raining today, a heavenly sign of mourning on the day of his “calling hours.” But the sun will shine and the tears will gradually dry over time. My love to all.
Dear Darcy and Connor,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I know how special your relationship was. The good memories will get you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Jeff’s family….I thank you for getting in touch with me via facebook, I only wish there had been more time so I could have visited Jeff. When I heard about his illness, childhood memories came flooding back to me that I planned on sharing with him. Arts and crafts with his mom, forts built in his basement, the mischief we had caused, getting into the oil paints and thinking we could wash them off with water, my father rubbing the top of his head for “good luck” when ever he came into our house. These are a few of the fond memories I will never forget. I know you will keep all your memories close to your hearts. I know Jeff is safe in heaven with my parents and his mother. I now pray that you will find comfort in knowing Jeff is in a better place. With Much Love, Amy Blovish Siracuse and family
Jeff — I never had the good fortune to meet you. I only saw you through Darcy’s eyes and what an amazing person you were. What an extraordinary man this good earth lost! My thoughs and prayers are with Darcy and to all of you who loved Jeff.
We never met Jeff, but knew of him through his dad. We wish we had a chance to meet Jeff. He obviously was an enthusiastic and positive person. We know Jeff will be sorely missed by family and friends.
It was an honor to know Jeff through the Warren Street Running Club. Jeff was a true gentleman. Jeff fought courageously until it was his time to “go home”. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Pete and family, our prayers and thoughts are with you. Jeff fought a long and hard battle with such dignity and strength. He will be missed terribly by all of you but you know he is now at peace. Our deepest sympathies to you all.
Jeff has his place among the angels and will watch down on your family.. He is at peace. I was just thinking about childhood times going to Jeff’s little league baseball games durng the summer at the field in North Branford riding in the back of his mom’s station wagon and stopping at DQ for ice cream.. we had great times in the neighborhood. Your memory will live on …. Rest In Peace Jeff….
Kara and family…I have kept you all in my prayers as I heard of Jeff’s passing while travelling. His courage, as well as the courage and support of all of you, is truly an inspiration and will go far in comforting you during the difficult days ahead – may God’s abundant graces be yours as you face each one. Love and blessings to you all.
Such a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers to Darcy and to the entire family. I am glad that I had a chance to see Jeff and Darcy one of the last times he was in the hospital. I am sorry that I could not be a part of the services to honor him because I had to work in the hospital. Jeff you can rest in peace it was a long and hard battle. God Bless.
It was a privildege to have met you Jeffrey and an honor to have the opportunity to have been your nurse..You will be greatly missed and your smile will forever be with me..God Bless You…You are home now and are no longer suffering…You will always be remembered….I will always think of you whenever I come across a football game…and whenver my daughters eat macaroni and cheese….
I am so sorry I could not attend the services. Jeff, you will always be remembered as a true friend to me. Rest in peace. Lynda
Darcy, Pete, and Family Our deepest sympathy to you. Jeff is now resting in peace.