Douglas S. Johnston
Douglas S. Johnston, 69, Town of Orleans, died Tuesday morning, February 7, 2012, at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse.
Calling hours will be held Friday, February 10, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. The funeral service will be at the Clayton United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 11, at 1PM with Pastor Donald Briant officiating with spring burial in Omar Cemetery.
Mr. Johnston, born in Mount Holly, NJ, on June 29, 1942, son of George and Kathleen Ryan Johnston, grew up on Staten Island, NY. He was active as a youth with the Boy Scouts and the Explorers. He graduated from New Dorp High School and is listed on their permanent Honor Roll. In 1959, Doug was on the New Dorp High School championship football team as a fullback. He attended City College, NYC, where he was a member of the Prussian Rifles, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse.
On December 21, 1984, he married Bonnie S. Keller in Martinsburg, NY.
For 34 years Mr. Johnston taught Practical Science for Indian River Central School’s middle school and retired in 2002. Through the years he taught and choreographed dancing for various Indian River student groups, most recently the Waltzing Warriors. He was also a member of the NYS Retired Teachers Assoc.
Doug was a member and avid volunteer for the Clayton United Methodist Church. He served as a trustee, certified Lay Speaker, and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.
Mr. Johnston, a ballroom dance instructor for 40 years, taught dancing at JCC for 14 years and at the Clayton Opera House. He was a member of pboth the Cosmopolitan Dance Club, Watertown, and Top Hats Club, Syracuse.
Doug, an avid horseman, was a professional farrier for 15 years and enjoyed riding, training, and showing quarter horses. He was a first degree black belt instructor for American Kang Duk Kwon, Watertown. In recent years he trained and competed as part of a two-man rowing team with Joel Walentuk, of Alexandria Bay. Doug was the owner, pilot, and builder of a Safari helicopter and honored as the 2006 Rotorcraft Grand Reserve Champion at the Airventure Oshkosh Air Show.
Besides his wife, Bonnie, he is survived by his son, Scott D. Johnston, West Chester, PA; his daughter, Traci L. Sandberg and her husband, Brian, Nokesville, VA; his 2 granddaughters, Ivy and Tess Sandberg; 2 stepdaughters, Katie Chapman and husband, John, Castle Rock, CO and Michele Herrmann and husband, Hans, Mississippi State, MS; 2 step grandchildren, Alex Chapman and Petra Herrmann; 2 brothers, Michael G. Johnston and wife, Laryssa, Sharpsburg, GA and James Lawrence, Las Vegas, NV; 2 sisters, Judy Fiduccia, Saylorsburg, PA and Kathy Casados and husband, Don, Cypress, CA; his ex-wife, Carol Neuroth; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in his name to the Clayton United Methodist Church, 324 John St., Clayton, NY, 13624.
