Naugatuck- Franklin E. Johnson, Sr. 85, of 51 Little River Drive passed away peacefully on Monday, January 25th,2010 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Jeanne (DeCarlo) Johnson for fifty-eight years. Mr. Johnson was born on October 13th,1924 in Naugatuck, son of the late Major J. William and Lillian (Thomas) Johnson. He enjoyed a rewarding thirty-eight year career as an educator, administrator, counselor, coach and Adult Education Director at Naugatuck High School. Upon his graduation from Naugatuck High School in 1942, Mr. Johnson served honorably and proudly in the U.S. Army in WW II. He participated in all five major battles in Europe including the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, St. Lo, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a decorated member of the 110 Artillery Division, Battery B. Upon his discharge from service, he attended Cheshire Academy and went on to graduate from Springfield College in 1951. He received his Masters Degree from the University of Hartford in 1957. He was a lifelong member of the Naugatuck Congregational Church where he was a deacon for eighteen years. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 17 for over fifty-eight years, holding every office including Post Commander. He was the Chairman of the Naugatuck Veterans Council for twenty years. For his outstanding efforts in organizing and directing the Naugatuck Memorial Day Parade, historically billed as the largest in New England, Mr. Johnson was written into the Library of Congress by both Rep. Jim Maloney and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. He was a member of the 2006 State of CT Veterans Hall of Fame. He received numerous other honors and awards including, Paul Harris Fellow, Eleanor Roosevelt Award, Naugatuck Hall of Fame, Veterans Who Care- Man of the Year, Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club Gold Medal, NHS Alumni Assoc.- Alumni of the Year and the Naugatuck Citizenship Award 2001, now named the “Franklin Johnson Citizenship Award”. He was a charter member of the Human Resource Development Agency, past President of United Way of Naugatuck, Board of Directors of the Red Cross, as well as the Mayor’s Advisory and Charter Revision Committees. He was an inspiration to many and admired by all who knew him, His warmth, wisdom and wit will be truly missed. Besides his wife, Jeanne, he is survived by three daughters, Lori Felix and her husband Art of CA, Lisa Ricciardo and her husband James of Long Island ,NY, Lynn Nobile and her husband John of Long Island, NY, one son, Frank Johnson, Jr and his wife Joann of Naugatuck, one sister Lillian Evans of NJ, two brothers John W. Johnson, Jr. of Waterbury and Thomas F. Johnson of Naugatuck, nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Eleanor Monroe. A military funeral will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, Naugatuck to Naugatuck Congregational Church, 9 Division St. for a service at 10:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. The Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home on Friday evening at 7:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Franklin E Johnson, Sr. Foundation in c/o Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan, 333 Church Street Naugatuck, CT 06770. For online condolences please logon to: www.buckmillerbrothers.com