Leslie Johnston, Jr.

Leslie J . Johnston , Jr ., 81, of Kissimmee, FL, formerly of Wakefield, MA, died peacefully on April 23, 2014 at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Kissimmee, with his wife at his side. Born in Melrose, MA on August 12, 1932, he was the eldest son of the late Leslie J . Sr. and Hazel Irene (Gerrior) Johnston . He had lived in Wakefield for 59 years prior to moving to Kissimmee in 1991.

Mr. Johnston was a member of St. Joseph's School, Class of 1947 and Wakefield High School, Class of 1951. A proud veteran of the Korean War, he served for four years in the United States Air Force. Following his military service he was employed by L. B. Evans Son Co. for many years. In 1977 he joined the custodial staff at the former Wakefield Junior High School, retiring in 1989 as Acting Head Custodian.

He and his wife, Dorothy (Dexter) Johnston , celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2012. They enjoyed traveling during their retirement, and always looked forward to their annual visits to Wakefield and Boothbay Harbor, ME each summer.

An avid Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox fan, Mr. Johnston held Bruins season tickets in the late 1950s. When his children were young, he loved skating with them on Lake Quannapowitt and going to carnivals, amusement parks and local beaches. He also enjoyed cooking and being outside at his charcoal grill during the summer months.

In his retirement he enjoyed woodworking, adding many details to his home and building various decorative objects. He also was an active member of the Kissimmee Elks Lodge No. 1873.

He was a communicant at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church of Kissimmee.

Besides his loving wife of 52 years, Dorothy Johnston , of Kissimmee, he leaves his children Diane Carroll and her husband Charles of Rowley, MA and David Johnston and his wife Kay Cummings of Pelham, NH, and his beloved grandson Jack Carroll. Also surviving him are his brother-in-law, Richard Dexter, of Southport, ME, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his three brothers, William, Thomas and Bradford Johnston .

A graveside service will be held Friday, July 18 at Forest Glade Cemetery, Lowell St., Wakefield at 10 am. A visitation for relatives and friends will be held at McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave, Wakefield, on Thursday July 17 from 4-8 p.m.

July 17, 2014
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

July 18, 2014
10:00 AM

Forest Glade Cemetery
480 Lowell St.
Wakefield, MA 01880