Herbert W. Johnson, 85
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Herbert William Johnson, 85, best known as "Coach" by many, died Friday, May 3, 2013, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong resident of North Adams and spent his career as an educator, coach and mentor to generations of students.
Born on August 25, 1927, to Albert J. and Sarah Salmon Johnson at 375 Houghton St., he was a 1945 graduate of Drury High School and received a bachelor of science degree with honors from Springfield College in 1952 and a master's degree in education from then North Adams State College in 1964.
He served his country as a private, first class, in the Army and was honorably discharged in 1947.
Mr. Johnson began his career at Leland and Grey Seminary in Townshend, Vt., but soon returned to North Adams, where he dedicated the next 32 years of his life to the students and athletes of the North Adams Public School system. His passion was instilling values, discipline and respect as he became an integral part of the physical education program in the community. He taught physical education at Drury High School and the former Mark Hopkins School until his appointment as athletic director of North Adams Public Schools in 1976.
He was instrumental in the growth and development of girls' sports and the expansion of program development. He was involved in the planning and design of the present Drury High School and spent countless hours in the gymnasium and on the sports fields in a labor of love for the sports program of this community. He was well respected for his hard work, dedication and organization and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Over the years, he coached football, track, skiing, gymnastics and filled in as a coach for every other sport when needed.
He thoroughly enjoyed his many years as a high school official for football, soccer, baseball and track and as a high school and college basketball official. He received numerous awards over the years, including an Outstanding Service Award for 40 years of participation from the International Association of Approved Basketball Association Officials (IABBO) and District Athletic Director of the year in 1986 and 1990. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation. In his later years, he found an ideal way to keep his connection with students at Drury High School and fulfill his yearning to be involved in the medical profession by becoming certified as an emergency medical technician.
Mr. Johnson served on the North Adams Ambulance service team and could be found at multiple sporting events at Drury High School serving in that capacity. His community was important to him and he volunteered as a longtime member of the North Adams Recreation Commission, coach for Babe Ruth League, on the board of directors for the North Adams Summer Basketball League and as a life member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks. He served on many other regional and state boards and committees including the Massachusetts Coaches Association, Intercounty Track League, Berkshire County Football Association, IAABO and the Athletic Directors Association.
He was a member of the Hairpin Turners Square Dance Club and shared this knowledge with students in class, much to their chagrin. In winter, he could been found on the ski patrol at the former Dutch Hill Ski Area, where he was easy to locate on the trail by his speed and characteristic style. In the summer, he enjoyed playing golf at the North Adams Country Club and at many of the regional golf courses in the area with his many golfing buddies. He won the Presidents Cup in 1983 at North Adams Country Club and achieved two holes in one.
Many Drury High School students remember Coach and credit him with impacting their lives in some manner. His life's work touched many and will long be remembered His use of the "Marine Test" to demonstrate physical fitness, duck walks as punishment for girl-watching and boxing in gym class as a way to mediate interpersonal difficulties are some of the highlights frequently recounted by students. Over the years, he was invited to many high school class reunions, which he thoroughly enjoyed. It was not unusual for former students to come and see him, including his first class of his career for their 50th reunion.
Over the last 2 years, he resided at North Adams Commons, where he was treated with love, respect and dignity by a compassionate, caregiving team.
His wife, the former Edith Clark, whom he married June 27, 1953, died October 2009, after celebrating 56 years of marriage.
His children were proud of him. He leaves three daughters, Billie Lynn Johnson Allard and her husband, Edward, of Clarksburg, Kimberly Johnson Soller of Portsmouth, N.H., and Karen Johnson Chase and her husband, Charles, of Kittery, Maine; his son, Bruce Johnson of Keene, N.H.; nine grandchildren, Scott Allard, Kate Allard Manuel, Jennifer Allard Downey, Kyle Soller, Kurt Soller, Meredith Chase, Bryce Johnson, Konnar Johnson and Kade Johnson, and six great-grandchildren, with another arriving in June.
He was predeceased by his brother, Albert Johnson, on the same day 22 years ago, and his sister, Ruth Johnson Young.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A celebration of Mr. Johnson's life will take place Friday, May 10, at 11 at First Congregational Church of North Adams. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, May 9, from 4 to 7 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to the Herbert "Coach" Johnson Scholarship fund at Drury High School.