In Memoriam: Longtime Shrewsbury Resident, Former Fire Chief, Public Works Director, Sam Johnson Jr., 78

Longtime Shrewsbury resident and former Public Works director, Shrewsbury Hose Co. chief and president, Samuel C. Johnson, passed away on May 27 at Riverview Medical Center. He was 78.

Sam Johnson
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Sam was a proud five-term ex-chief and two-time Past President of Shrewsbury Hose Co. He joined the fire company in 1964 and held every office in the Company. His past actions and accomplishments still shape the Shrewsbury Hose Co. Sam enjoyed working in his garden, adopting dogs that no others would take in, and building an extensive, complex working model train display. He was a caring son, who was a longtime caregiver to his mother Marie, brother, uncle, and friend who was well liked by all that knew him. Sam kept his sense of humor right up to the end. He will truly be missed.”
Loved ones of Sam Johnson in his obituary

Sam was born in Red Bank to Samuel C. and Marie (Robbins) Johnson Sr. A 1962 Red Bank High School graduate, he served in the NJ National Guard from 1964 to 1970.

Sam retired in 1999 as the director of the Public Works for the Borough of Shrewsbury.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury.

He is predeceased by: his parents; his sister, Patricia Johnson Strong; and
his sister-in-law, Josie Weber Johnson.

Sam is survived by: his loving siblings, his twin, Lawrence, of Oregon, Richard (Barbara) Johnson, of Berkeley Township, and David (Liz), of Union Beach; and 33 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, June 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Shrewsbury Fire Company service will be held at 7:30. A funeral home service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 3, followed by burial at Shrewsbury Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam’s memory to Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.