LAKE BONAPARTE – Robert C. Johnston, 70, passed away Thursday evening, September 13, 2012 at his home on Hotel Rd., Lake Bonaparte, under the care of his family, friends and Hospice of Lewis County. Bob also spent winters in Punta Gorda, Florida.
He was born on December 8th, 1941 in Plainville, Connecticut, the son of Robert C. Kathryn A. Andrews Johnston. He graduated from Plainville High School in 1960. He received his BA from Colby College, Waterville, Maine in 1964 and a Masters Degree in School Psychology from St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY in 1966. He also completed many additional graduate hours from other schools and universities.
Bob was employed as the school psychologist for the Ilion Central School from 1966-1978 and the Carthage Central School District from 1978-2005. He then worked at Family Practice Associates until 2007. Bob married Charlene A. Rigabar Paragon on June 28, 1991.
He held the title of Nationally Certified School Psychologist. He was a charter member of the National Association of School Psychologists and International School Psychologists Association. He published numerous professional articles in journals and the Communique, a publication of the Association of School Psychologists. Bob published a book of a collection of short stories, entitled The Unicorn Beer Clock and Other Short Stories. Proceeds from the sale of the book were donated to the Carthage Free Library. He has been a member of the Elks Lodge BPOE #1762, Carthage since 1991, was a Past President of the Carthage Lions Club and was a Vice President of the Lake Bonaparte Conservation Club, where he received the John Spencer Award for Distinguished Service in 2005 and 2010. He was instrumental in starting the weevil program to control milfoil growth in the Lake. He was a licensed amateur radio operator since the age of eleven. He was a partner in Long Falls Realty, Inc., since 1990 with his wife, Charlene.
He is survived by his wife, Charlene, at home, 3 step children, John A Paragon, Brantingham, Tina Soukup her companion Tim Farley, Carthage and Peter Paragon and his wife Patricia, 8 step grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage, with the Rev. Samuel P. Lundy, officiating. Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home, Sunday afternoon prior to the service, from 2 – 4 PM. www.lundyfuneralhome.com
Prior to Bobs death, he made a special request instead of donations, give your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a hug and spend valuable time with them because that is what life has always been about! However if you wish to donate; Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Bonaparte Conservation Club, PO Box 273, Harrisville, NY 13648 or Hospice of Lewis County, 7785 North State St., Lowville, NY 13367.
Bob loved sports and especially the Boston Red Sox. He also was an advocate of making Lake Bonaparte a better place to live and visit. Bob also enjoyed traveling, reading and writing.