The world lost a beautiful soul. Our beloved dad, grandpa, and father-in-law, Johnson James Walker, age 93, entered into rest on Jan. 14 surrounded by his loving family. Johnson was born on July 30, 1923, in New Haven, to Johnson and Katherine Kiloy (parents). He had two brothers, Harold and Edward, and a sister, Alicia Walker Hannon, who predeceased him.
He spent his childhood on the West Haven shore, enjoying Savin Rock and Bradley Point. The beach is where he met his wife Barbara Welch, whom he married on June 10, 1950, at St. Lawrence Church in West Haven. While working at the New Haven and Hartford Railroad, he attended and graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in 1953, and had four children, Michael, Kathleen, Jacqueline, and Patricia. He later went on to earn a master’s degree and 6th year certificate from Fairfield University.
Johnson served in the Army in World War II from 1943 to 1945 in the 8th Armored Division, in an M7 Motorized Artillery. He served in Europe, fighting in Holland, France, Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.
Besides the war and a brief period in later years, Johnson spent his whole life in West Haven, serving for thirty years in West Haven Public Schools. He was a beloved teacher and guidance counselor in West Haven, working with students at Thompson School, Giannotti Junior High, and West Haven High School. He maintained many lifelong relationships with students and had a few attend his 90th birthday party.
Johnson, with his wife Barbara, a nurse, found great joy in their family and friends. They took trips to Florida, eventually buying a condo there that holds many great memories. They also enjoyed skiing with friends and annual trips to Cape Cod with their children and grandchildren.
From 2001 to 2015, Johnson lived in Milford with his wife Barbara until her passing in 2012. For the last 18 months, Johnson again resided in West Haven. During his retirement, he found great joy in his children and grandchildren, time with his wife, and in painting, drawing, and playing the organ.
Johnson is predeceased by his wife Barbara (d. Oct. 12, 2012); his daughter Kathleen (d. Dec. 16, 2011); his parents Johnson and Katherine Kiloy; his siblings Harold, Edward, and Alicia Walker Hannon; and many friends.
He is survived by his loving children Michael Walker and his wife Cindy of Guilford; Jacqueline Nelson and her husband Wayne St. Peter of Portland, Maine; and Patricia Gramelis and her husband Gus of West Haven. He also leaves his grandchildren Elizabeth Nelson Pasipanki and her husband Joseph of West Haven; Micaela Gramelis and her partner Lydia Alcock of Baltimore, Maryland; Eric Nelson and his wife Molly of South Portland, Maine; and Kaitlyn Walker and her fiancée Tyler Purskey of Branford. He is also survived by his first great-grandson, Finn Walker Nelson of South Portland, Maine; his brother-in-law Edward Welch of Hamden; and many extended family members with whom he loved to reconnect at family events and reunions.
The family sends a special thank you to Amy Johnson for her care of, friendship with, and compassion for Johnson in his waning years.
Family and friends may visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St., West Haven, Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Jan. 19 at St. Lawrence Church at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to W.H.E.A.T., West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce, at 674 Washington Ave. To leave a condolence or tribute, please visit www.kennanfuneralhome.com.
