Harry 'Sonny' C. Johnson

Life Legacy

RUTLAND – Harry “Sonny” C. Johnson, Jr., 87, of Rutland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2017 under the loving care of his family and the staff at Holden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Holden. Harry was born in Worcester on July 11, 1929, the son of the late Harry C. and Olive (Hasselstrom) Johnson and lived most of his life in Rutland. Harry was a graduate of Worcester Academy, the University of Massachusetts’ School of Agriculture in Stockbridge and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston where he received a degree in engineering. After graduating from college in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Returning home, Harry worked for his family’s building business. He later ventured into agricultural construction in association with Agway and served as a trustee on Agway’s Regional Board.In 1967, at the age of 38, Harry married the love of his life and longtime neighbor, Judith Buck, at the First Congregational Church of Holden. They resided on their farm in Rutland for the following 46 years where they raised their four children along with several dozen beef cattle. Harry eventually went into the fence business with his three brothers which he later ran as Johnson Fence Company with his children.He was civically active and shared his expertise serving on the Rutland Planning Board, Rutland Conservation Commission and the Rutland Building Commission, among others. He also served as the town’s building inspector for 40 years, retiring at the age of 81, and on the local Selective Service Board for 20 years. Harry was a member of the First Congregational Church of Rutland and the Rutland Post 310, American Legion Post.Harry was a vintage car enthusiast. In his spare time, he practiced a variety of agricultural activities on the Johnson Farm with the enthusiastic assistance of the entire family. Harry is remembered by his children as being hard working, resourceful, a responsible provider, conservative by nature, a pragmatic decisions maker and above all a loving father. He will be affectionately remembered and missed by his four children, Harry C. Johnson, III and his wife, Sarah of Pawtucket, Tina Johnson Bertholet of Holden, Betsy Smith and her husband, Keith of Rutland and Holly Lizotte and her husband, David of Oakham; two brothers, Robert Johnson of Denton, Texas and William Johnson of Rutland; six grandchildren, Maxwell, Violet, Emma, Samuel, Casey and Lucas; and many nephews and nieces. Besides his wife, Judy, Harry is predeceased by a brother, Roger Johnson and four sisters, Eunice Thompson, Muriel Johnson, Grace Johnson Gullburg and Nancy Graves.Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Harry’s family from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, May 17, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring Harry’s life will be held at 11 am on Thursday, May 18, at the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main St., Rutland, followed by a procession to Rural Cemetery where Harry will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Rutland, P.O. Box 484, Rutland, MA 01543, or the Rutland Lion's Club, P.O. Box 626, Rutland, MA 01543.