More detail on this person: Shelburne Falls, MA- Norbert Bernard "Norb" Johnston, 91, of Maple Street in Shelburne Falls, MA; formerly of Sunny Acres in Brattleboro, VT; passed peacefully from this life on Friday morning, February 3, 2023, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, surrounded by his loving family.
Norb was born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 9,1932, the third of eight children born to Gorman James and Anna Josephine (Thinnes) Johnston. He was raised and educated in Pittsburgh where he attended Catholic schools.
After graduating from high school, he proudly served his nation in the U.S. Army, enlisting in Pittsburgh on September 18, 1950. He served with the US Army Signal Corps during the Korean Conflict and the US Army Air Corps as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam Conflict. While enlisted, Norb also earned two Bachelor's degrees and a graduate degree from the University of Southern California in International Relations. Norb was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of Colonel on May 1, 1980 at Ft. Monroe, VA.
Following his discharge from the Army, he attended Antioch New England University, earning a Masters Degree in Organization and Management. Norb was passionate about helping others, and in particular helping them do what they loved through small business. In his work with the Small Business Development Centers in Brattleboro and Springfield, VT and later his own consulting business, he helped many in the area start and maintain their own small businesses.
Norb was always involved in the community in a number of different ways, most notably as a member of Rotary International serving in the Brattleboro Rotary Club, the Shelburne Falls Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Gideons International (Windham County Camp) and the Shelburne Falls VFW. He also served on various boards in the Brattleboro area throughout his career.
Norb considered himself a Catholic and non-denominational Protestant and was most recently a communicant of Saint Joseph's Parish in Shelburne Falls, MA.
Of his leisure time activities, he enjoyed flying, hiking, camping, swimming and sharing time with his family.
Anyone who knew Norb knew how much he loved: his faith, his family, his community, his country, and flying. He believed that one person could make a difference in the world, and he did his best to put that belief into action in the lives of those around him. He didn't always do it gracefully, but that never kept him from trying.
His sense of curiosity, humor, duty, honor, and faith was with him until the end; they now live on in his family, and those who knew him best. He will be dearly missed.
On October 9, 1952, he was married to Joanne A. Marshall. They had five children together, and the marriage ended in divorce on March 31, 1971. Four of their five children survive him: Robert, Norbert, and Richard Johnston of Pittsburgh, PA; and Mary Ellen Hessenauer of Rochester, NY. On October 2, 1971 he was married to Doris Lillian Robinson who survives, along with their children: Kristopher Johnston of Brattleboro, VT; Kimberley Morrell of Brattleboro, VT, and Kelley Johnston Willison of Gloucester, MA.
He also leaves three siblings: Regis of Luzby, MD; Verna of Hermitage, PA and Coletta of Cape Coral, FL; seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, James (Jim) Johnston; a grandson, Joshua (Josh) Prescott; and four siblings: Gorman, Richard, Adrian and Barbara Ann (Sister Mary Gorman).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Shelburne Falls, MA on March 4, 2023 at 11 am. Burial services will be held at a later date at the VT Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Ctr., VT.
Burial information: VT Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Ctr, VT
This information was last updated 04/16/2023
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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