Thomas Charles Edward Johnson

Thomas Charles Edward Johnson, 70, son of Eugene Stanley Johnson and Catherine (Connell) Johnson, a longtime Mansfield teacher who had been a star athlete during his Willimantic high school and college days, died Wednesday April 23, 2003 at his home in Willimantic. Mr. Johnson was a popular social studies teacher at the Northwest School in Storrs and the Mansfield Middle School known for posing the "$64,000 question" to his students. He later became a claims representative with the Social Security Administration, serving in Willimantic, Hartford, E.Hartford, Norwich and New London. Mr. Johnson was a graduate of Windham High School where he was a basketball star and president of his junior class. He also graduated and received his Masters Degree from the Willimantic State Teachers College, where he played varsity basketball and baseball. In 1959, the basketball team won the New England Teachers College Conference Tournament Championship. Mr. Johnson was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1952 to 1956 which included a term on the U.S.S. Midway. He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne (Morrissette) Johnson. He is survived by a daughter and son in law Joanne and James M. Sailor of Manchester, a son and daughter in law Eric and Suzanne Johnson of Eastford, a special friend June Haines, 2 sisters in law and 2 brothers in law Sally and Carl L. Johnson of S. Windham and Yvette and Roland Pier of New London. The Johnson family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30am prior to the procession to an11:00am Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations to the James V. Spignesi Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 156, Hampton, Ct. 06247.