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Paul Johnson

Paul H. Johnson, a long-term resident of Guilford and Orchid Island, Florida, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2024.

Mr. Johnson was a graduate of Brown University and the University of Connecticut Law School and received a PMD from Harvard University. He retired from active business in 2001 but maintained a focused activity of helping families work through the problems of moving family businesses from generation to generation. After graduating from Brown in 1958, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Witek. While still serving, he met the love of his life, Gwendolyn Davies, on a blind date. They married in August of 1962. Paul graduated from law school in 1966. He was employed by the First New Haven National Bank from 1961 to 1971, resigning when he was elected president and CEO of Connecticut Savings Bank. He remained in that office for the next 20 years. In 1991, at the invitation of the Honorable Guido Calabresi, he became the Assistant to the Dean and the Director of the Campaign for Yale Law School. In 1994, he became the president and CEO of the Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, retiring in 2001.

Paul was an active Connecticut resident serving on the Board of Directors of The New Haven Water Company, Middlesex Mutual Insurance Company, Connecticut Energy, the Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Cooper Instrument Company, SLAM Collaborative Architects, Essex Financial, and for several years after retirement, on the Board of Giesecke & Devrient, a worldwide company headquartered in Munich, Germany.

He was an impassioned advocate for service on not-for-profit boards that served others. Paul served on the Board of Trustees of Brown University and the University of Connecticut Health Center (Hospital, Medical School, and Dental School) in addition to long-term service on the Board of Directors of Yale New Haven Hospital. His interest in education prompted his serving on the Dean’s Council of the Yale Medical School and the Board of Trustees at Hopkins School, where he served as the chairperson, as a fellow of Calhoun College at Yale. He also served as the president of the United Way of New Haven and the New Haven Downtown Counsel. Paul was asked to serve by the Governor of the State of Connecticut as the president of the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut. This Foundation was instrumental in bringing the Volvo International Tennis Tournament from Vermont to New Haven. Paul then helped to create a partnership between the Tennis Foundation and Yale University, where the Tennis Center was eventually constructed in 1991. His organizational skills led to his appointment as Chairman of the Greater New Haven United Way Campaign on two different occasions: his chairmanship of the Capital Campaign for Yale New Haven Hospital and the Capital Campaign for Hopkins School.

An avid golfer who formed his love for the game as a young caddy at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, he took a hiatus from the game while his children were young to play tennis at the New Haven Lawn Club. Paul started playing competitively again once his kids were grown. He won the Senior Championships at New Haven Country Club and at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club. Most pleasing to him was winning the State of Connecticut Father/Daughter Championship with his daughter, Kirsten, and the annual Member-Guest “Orchid Cup” tournament with his son, Peter, in 2003.

Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gwendolyn “Meg” Johnson; their beloved children, Kirsten Johnson Adams (John Adams) of Madison, Philip Johnson (Stephanie Maggart Johnson) of Guilford, and Peter Johnson (Julie Momchilov Johnson) of Kentfield, California; and his seven adoring grandchildren: Hannah Johnson Martin, Sarah Johnson, Summer Adams, John “Trey” Adams, Wiley Johnson, Paul “Ryland” Johnson and Rowan Johnson.

A family and friends gathering is being planned for the late spring. The Hawley Lincoln Memorial, Guilford, is in charge of arrangements.