Obituary of Patrick L. Johnson

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Patrick Lorenza Johnson age 68, passed away. He left this world the same way he lived; on his own terms. He died peacefully surrounded by his girls. Patrick’s parents welcomed him into the world on Wednesday, December 30th, 1953 in Montgomery Alabama. In 1969 he migrated to Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dorchester High School in 1971. In 1972, Patrick enlisted in the Army and was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia where he attended Teletype and Code school. He was then assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia where he completed Quartermaster training. He received orders to Okinawa, Japan where he spent the next two years providing missile supply support. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharp Shooter Badge for M-16 Rifle. He was honorably discharged in 1976. Patrick then went to electronic school at the Program Systems Institute in New York. This led to his contracted job with Teradyne Electronics in Boston. In 1979, Patrick married Marcia (nee’ Porcher) Johnson and reenlisted. He attended Helicopter Electronic System repair school. He then received orders to Korea, where he worked on modifying Cobra helicopters into Apache helicopters. His next duty station was Kansas where he worked on a variety of System Modifications. In 1983, Patrick received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals. He also received ribbons for Army Service, Overseas Service, Sharp Shooter (M-16 rifle), and Expert (hand grenade). He received his second honorable discharge that year. Following this tour of duty, now a veteran, Patrick returned to Teradyne and eventually left to work for the MBTA, rewiring the red line trains. Over the next several years he worked as a private electrician contractor. He spent many years working for the Veterans Administration on Causeway Street, from which he retired. Patrick had an infinite love for dogs, martial arts movies, dominoes, home cooked meals, and hazelnut coffee. You could find him spending his free time fishing, telling jokes, and trying to fix any broken electronic device he could find. He was an excellent story teller and often shared his life’s journeys and experience with family and friends. Many of his afternoons were spent on the couch watching movies with his kids and grandkids while narrating a whole new story line to the movie or just letting the movie watch him. He cherished this quality time. His presence will be sorely missed, but he has selflessly given us so much, it would seem selfish to have asked any more. Patrick is preceded in death by both parents Malissa Vandiver and Alfred E. Johnson. He is also preceded in death by two brothers: Alfred E. Johnson III and Edmond H. Johnson. He leaves to cherish loving memories his two daughters: Tara Malissa Johnson; Springfield, MA and Aja (Cedric) St.Val; Fredericksburg, VA. His grandchildren: Tajmah’nae Lewis; Quentin St.Val; and Ava St.Val. Respectfully acknowledging his ex-wife and friend Marcia Johnson. A very special acknowledgment to his Aunt, Ms. Emma Rush of Queens, NY whom he loved dearly. His three brothers: James S. Johnson; Brockton, MA; Ronald A (Korea) Johnson; Fulton, KY; Jesse M (Ernestine) Johnson; Boston, MA. His five sisters: Gloria (Dr. Gregory) Crawford; Birmingham, AL; Jacqueline (Cbauk) Babies; Montgomery, AL; Lucie Johnson; Birmingham, AL; Sally (Segun) Ogunde; Houston, TX; and Emma (Alvin) Steele; Birmingham, AL. Patrick also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends