Johnson, Arthur

Arthur D. “Dewey”Johnson, age 70, of Wilmington, died Monday, December 1, 2008, at home surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Dewey was born on December 29, 1937, in East Boston and was the son of the late Arthur D., Sr. & Marian (Fogg) Johnson. Dewey grew up in Malden and was a graduate of Malden Vocational High School. He spent his summers at the family cottage in Wilmington.

Following High School, Dewey joined the United States Army and served for six years during the Vietnam. Dewey and his wife Ginny moved to Wilmington permanently many years ago to raise their family. In 1974, Dewey joined the National Guard and served the country for another fifteen years before retiring from the service in 1989. Dewey was employed with the Laborer's International Union, Local #88 and ran a drilling rig for many years.

In his spare time, Dewey enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his big heart, and his willingness to help anyone anytime, always putting others before himself.

Dewey was the beloved husband of Virginia E. (Flight) “Ginny” Johnson, devoted father of Yvette Atkinson & her husband Thomas of Londonderry, NH, Arthur D. “Dewey” Johnson III & his wife Michelle and Kristen Costa & her husband James all of Wilmington, loving grandfather of Benjamin & Matthew Atkinson and Miranda & Cody Johnson, dear brother of David Johnson, Dorothy D'Alessandro & her husband Dante all of New Hampshire, Naomi Teixeira & her husband Gabriel of Maine, Marion Delarue of Woburn, Ruth Long of Malden and the late Florence Iosua. Dewey is also survived by many nieces & nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, December 4th from 10-11 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Memorial donations in Arthur's name may be made to the Local Heroes, P. O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

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