Robert Gates Johnson

PERRY – R. Gates Johnson, 88, beloved husband of Ferne, passed away on February 3, 2013 in Bangor. He was born in Perry on June 15, 1924 to Robert and Gladys (Hibbard) Johnson. During his lifetime he drilled many wells in Washington County. He then went on to be a United States Customs Officer in Calais. He was a World War II Veteran, receiving a bronze star. Gates was an involved member of his community, he served on the Perry School Board, the Planning Board, the Budget Committee and he volunteered on the Perry Fire Department. He was very proud of being a cofounder of the Perry Little League and a leader of the local Boy Scout Troop. He greatly enjoyed working on projects in the home he had lived in for nearly 85 years and he especially cherished time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Gates was predeceased by his sister, Hope; his favorite brother-in-law, Ross Loring and son-in-law, Sonny Avery. He is survived by his wife, Ferne (Loring), of 65 years; children, Ivie Avery of Perry, Robert and his wife Carla of Arizona, Dana and his wife Ruby of Calais and Loring and his wife Pam of Fort Fairfield; grandchildren, Scott and his wife Aly, Zachary and Isaac, all of Calais and Jason and his wife Angie of Presque Isle; great grandchildren, Cyrus and Bella and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Mays Funeral Home – Flagg Chapel, 72 High St., Eastport at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7th with Tessa Ftorek officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gates memory to the American Heart Association PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or at heart.org, or to the City of Calais Nursing Home Feasibility Study c/o Calais City Hall, 11 Church St., Calais, ME 04619.

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