Obituary for Carl Russell “Russ” “Rusty” “Rusty Ole Boy" Johnson Sr.
Carl Russell “Russ” “Rusty” “Rusty Ole Boy” Johnson, Sr., 95 of the “beautiful Lake shores of Lake Congamond” West Suffield, CT passed away on March 29, 2021. He was born in Springfield, MA on February 19, 1926, son of the late Carl Axel Johnson and Olga (Anderson) Johnson who immigrated from Sweden. He was predeceased by a brother, Theodore Johnson (1919). In passing, he is heavenly joined with his beloved bride of 52 years Gertrude M. (Kane) Johnson, who passed on April 30, 2018.
Rusty graduated from Springfield Technical High School (Class of 1943). He served with the U.S. Army Air Force. He went on to Graduate from American International College (AIC Class of ’54).
During College Rusty was employed with Comptometer Corp, Springfield MA followed by Van Norman Company. One of his most memorable jobs was with New England Sign Company. He was employed by, and retired from (1979-1992), Pratt & Whitney Aerospace Technologies as an Inspector.
Rusty was a proud member for 63 years in the Elks Springfield No. 61 Lodge. He also was a member of VASA Order of America, Brage-Iduna Lodge which he was honored to belong to. He was proud of his Swedish heritage and traditions. He was even able to reconnect with family and friends who live in Sweden.
Rusty was a lifelong Student of the game of Hockey having played from the age of 7 to his last year in Senior Hockey at the age of 87. He played through high school and secured a hockey scholarship to AIC College graduating in 1954. He would continue at AIC as an assistant coach for several more seasons having been one of the founding members of the AIC Hockey Program. He would play or manage several barnstorm teams throughout the 50’s and 60’s during the Golden Age of Hockey. As a referee he would call games at the high school, Collage and professional levels. Russ was one of the early members of the “Massachusetts Speed Limits” senior hockey team. The Speed Limits would be a top Team at the yearly competition held by Charles Schultze of Peanuts fame in Santa Rosa California for nearly a ten-year stretch. Rusty would take his senior groups to tournaments throughout the States and Canada as well as trips to Sweden. During all this Rusty ran what he liked to call his “Morning Skete”. His first morning skate group played out of Forest Park for more than 20 years while his last group played mainly out of Blunt park right up until the time of his passing.
Rusty is survived by his devoted son, Carl “C.R.” Johnson, Jr. and his wife Diann of West Suffield, and a loving daughter Mary-Beth Moreau of Southwick; along with two grandsons Spencer Axel Johnson and Matthew Thomas Moreau, with many nieces and nephews. Rusty also leaves behind a large family of “kids” he always mentored from the neighborhood, his extended family who always made him feel welcomed and loved, and of course his hockey family.
Rusty purchased land in the 1950’s on Lake Congamond where he later built his lifelong home piece by piece with his “own two hands” with his wife and children by his side. He lived the lake life to its fullest with boating, banana peel skiing, barbequing and socializing with the lake community. Rusty also had a fond love of Polka music. In 95 years, Rusty has bridged many gaps between generations. He was one who could strike up a conversation with anyone, any age, any place, about any subject and he left you with a laugh or smile and an everlasting impression.
Funeral Services will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, West Suffield, CT on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 5:00PM with calling hours from 3:00-5:00PM prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at the discretion of the family at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Vasa Order of America; “Brage-Iduna Lodge”, c/o John Shuttleworth: 63 Warwick Street Longmeadow, MA 01106 or to the AIC / YJC ‘Varsity Club’ Athletic Scholarship: 1000 State Street, PO Box 313, Springfield, MA, 01109.
For online condolences please visit: www.SuffieldFuneral Home.com
Rusty graduated from Springfield Technical High School (Class of 1943). He served with the U.S. Army Air Force. He went on to Graduate from American International College (AIC Class of ’54).
During College Rusty was employed with Comptometer Corp, Springfield MA followed by Van Norman Company. One of his most memorable jobs was with New England Sign Company. He was employed by, and retired from (1979-1992), Pratt & Whitney Aerospace Technologies as an Inspector.
Rusty was a proud member for 63 years in the Elks Springfield No. 61 Lodge. He also was a member of VASA Order of America, Brage-Iduna Lodge which he was honored to belong to. He was proud of his Swedish heritage and traditions. He was even able to reconnect with family and friends who live in Sweden.
Rusty was a lifelong Student of the game of Hockey having played from the age of 7 to his last year in Senior Hockey at the age of 87. He played through high school and secured a hockey scholarship to AIC College graduating in 1954. He would continue at AIC as an assistant coach for several more seasons having been one of the founding members of the AIC Hockey Program. He would play or manage several barnstorm teams throughout the 50’s and 60’s during the Golden Age of Hockey. As a referee he would call games at the high school, Collage and professional levels. Russ was one of the early members of the “Massachusetts Speed Limits” senior hockey team. The Speed Limits would be a top Team at the yearly competition held by Charles Schultze of Peanuts fame in Santa Rosa California for nearly a ten-year stretch. Rusty would take his senior groups to tournaments throughout the States and Canada as well as trips to Sweden. During all this Rusty ran what he liked to call his “Morning Skete”. His first morning skate group played out of Forest Park for more than 20 years while his last group played mainly out of Blunt park right up until the time of his passing.
Rusty is survived by his devoted son, Carl “C.R.” Johnson, Jr. and his wife Diann of West Suffield, and a loving daughter Mary-Beth Moreau of Southwick; along with two grandsons Spencer Axel Johnson and Matthew Thomas Moreau, with many nieces and nephews. Rusty also leaves behind a large family of “kids” he always mentored from the neighborhood, his extended family who always made him feel welcomed and loved, and of course his hockey family.
Rusty purchased land in the 1950’s on Lake Congamond where he later built his lifelong home piece by piece with his “own two hands” with his wife and children by his side. He lived the lake life to its fullest with boating, banana peel skiing, barbequing and socializing with the lake community. Rusty also had a fond love of Polka music. In 95 years, Rusty has bridged many gaps between generations. He was one who could strike up a conversation with anyone, any age, any place, about any subject and he left you with a laugh or smile and an everlasting impression.
Funeral Services will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, West Suffield, CT on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 5:00PM with calling hours from 3:00-5:00PM prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at the discretion of the family at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Vasa Order of America; “Brage-Iduna Lodge”, c/o John Shuttleworth: 63 Warwick Street Longmeadow, MA 01106 or to the AIC / YJC ‘Varsity Club’ Athletic Scholarship: 1000 State Street, PO Box 313, Springfield, MA, 01109.
For online condolences please visit: www.SuffieldFuneral Home.com