Charles Johnson

MONTPELIER—Charles B. "Pete" Johnson, 84, died at his daughter’s home in Montpelier Friday, Jan. 18, 2008.

He was born in 1923 in Randolph, the son of Roy and Hazel Johnson. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1941, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Norwich University in 1947 and his master’s degree in education administration from the University of Vermont in 1948. His undergraduate years at Norwich University were interrupted when his class was mobilized to active duty in 1943. He served as a naval aviator until his discharge in December 1945.

In 1946 he married Phyllis Savage, who predeceased him in 1998. They moved to Craftsbury in 1948, where he began his 45-year career in public education, first at Barton and then Craftsbury as principal, teacher and coach. In 1954, he and his family moved to Holden, Mass., where he gained large school district experience as assistant principal and then principal at Wachusett Regional High School.

He returned to Vermont in 1961 as superintendent of the Washington Northeast Supervisory District. Two of the highlights during his tenure there were the building of U-32 and Twinfield schools. After 12 years, he became superintendent of the Montpelier School District, retiring in 1983. During his career, he served as president of the Vermont Superintendents’ Association and president of the New England Association of School Superintendents. After "retirement" he served as interim principal at Arlington High School in 1984, and then interim superintendent of the Caledonia North Supervisory Union and Barre Supervisory Union. He completed his career in the education field as a consultant for school construction throughout Vermont.

In retirement, he and his wife built a log home lakeside in Grand Isle. He acted as project manager and, other than the foundation and framework, they did most of the work themselves. They enjoyed many years there, welcoming and entertaining family and friends. During his retirement years, Pete served as a member of the Vermont Employment Security Board and on the board of directors for C.I.D.E.R. He enjoyed sailing, bridge, woodworking, tennis, golf, puttering and agonizing over the Red Sox. He also loved camping trips with his family to Groton and Waterbury Dam.

Survivors include two daughters, Janey Malloy and husband, Dennis, of Montpelier and Joy McAvoy of Wilder; two sons, Pete Johnson and wife, Patti, of North Hero and Bruce Johnson and wife, Lindy, of Adamant; and son-in-law, John Hansen of Rutland; 13 grandchildren: Erika, Greg, Kevin, Cristin, Jill, Alan, Colleen, Judith, Heidi, Karen, Susan, RB and Will; and five great-grandchildren: Logan, Tegan, Finn, Penelope and Hailey. Also surviving are two sisters, Gerry Chalmers of South Hero and Martha Langone of Punta Gorda, Fla.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Judith Hansen; and a sister, Pauline Coop.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. at Bethany United Church of Christ on Main Street in Montpelier. A reception will follow. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, Vt. 05641; or C.I.D.E.R., PO Box 13, South Hero, Vt. 05486.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Barber and Lanier Funeral Home of Montpelier.

____________