Robert J. Johnston, Sr., 83, a resident of the Town of Beekman for 55 years and formerly of the Bronx, died on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at his daughter's home in Fort Ann.
Born in Manhattan on September 13, 1930, he was the son of Robert W. and Elizabeth McGay Johnston. Robert proudly served our country in the US Army during the Korean War. He served as the Deputy Director of the New York City Housing Authority until his retirement in 1983 and was the founder and first president of the NYCHA Emerald Society. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Denis Church in Hopewell Junction and a member of the Conservative Party of Dutchess County.
On July 11, 1953 at St. Denis Church, Robert married Mary T. DeForest who predeceased him on March 10, 2010. He is survived by children and their spouses, Mary Elizabeth and John Fox of Fort Ann, Robert and Wendy Johnston of Pleasant Valley, Thomas Edward and GiGi Johnston of Beekman, Jeanmarie Savoury of Torrington, CT, Sean Curtis and Jill Johnston of Poughquag, Margaret Theresa and Dean Eldred of Indiana, Susan Jane Ferraioli of Lakeland, FL and Damian Peter and Stephanie Johnston of Coxsackie; 16 grandchildren, his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his son, William Oscar Johnston in 1956; and his son-in-law, Anthony Ferraioli.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Denis Church, PO Box 10, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit Robert's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.