Eric D. Johnson Obituary

The family of Eric D. Johnson, 67, of Rockport, MA, is grieving the loss of their beloved husband, father, son, and brother, who passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Eric brought energy, intelligence, compassion, and humor in perfect proportions to everything he did. He adored his wife, Louisa Casadei-Johnson, and their children, Eric Christopher, and Anna. Eric was a happy man who cherished his family and the many friendships he forged throughout his life. An accomplished electrical engineer, businessman, fisherman, and self-taught boatbuilder, his love of learning never ended.

Eric was born on May 5, 1955, in Boston, MA, the son of the late George W. Johnson Jr. and Eleanor (Light) Johnson. He grew up in Ashland, MA, where he played baseball and became an avid Bruins and Red Sox fan. The family spent their summers in their Long Beach cottage, where George taught Eric and his brother, Doug, to fish for flounder from their small boat. Eric especially loved striper fishing and knew when, where, and how to find them. In their teenage years, Eric and Doug set lobster traps and sold their catch to Long Beach families. They developed lifelong friendships during those summers on the beach.

Eric attended the University of Lowell (now UMass-Lowell), where he was captain of the lacrosse team in 1977. He graduated that spring cum laude with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and a year later earned a master's degree from The Ohio State University. He worked in Colorado and Argentina as an engineer before returning to the Boston area in 1985, where he continued his career. Eric founded his own business, Johnson Engineering and Design, Inc., in 1990. He later expanded his business into fire origin and cause investigation, providing expert witness testimonies in legal proceedings.

Eric and Louisa met on Long Beach in 1989 and were married in March 1991 at the Old North Church in Boston. They were awed and amazed at the births of Eric C. and Anna. Eric was a devoted father, and taught them to be kind, caring, and responsible. As they grew older, Eric was proud of the adults his children became. The family enjoyed many winter trips to visit Louisa's sister and her family in St. Croix. Eric loved taking his son to Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, FL, and bringing the whole family to Fenway Park. He especially loved summers beaching, boating, and drinking rum punch in Rockport with his extended family and friends.

In 2016, Eric began work on a new fiberglass hull, a Holland 32 from Belfast, ME. Over the next four years, he fulfilled his lifelong dream by designing and building a pleasure fishing boat, the ANNA J. The hours he spent mastering fiberglass work, diesel engine machinery and installation, navigation systems, tuna rods and reels, and custom woodwork energized his body and fueled his mind. The ANNA J launched in July 2020. Eric loved those hours spent on the ocean, cruising with his family or fishing with his friends, in search of just one more big tuna.

Eric is survived by his wife, Louisa Casadei-Johnson; their son, Eric Christopher of Charlestown, MA; their daughter, Anna Louise of San Diego, CA; his mother, Eleanor Johnson, of Rockport; his brother, Douglas Johnson, and his wife, Charlene, of Arvada, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. Eric also leaves his sisters-in-law Dee Reiser, of Vero Beach, FL, and Mary Ann Seroogy, of St. Croix, USVI; brother-in-law Christopher Casadei, of Stonington, CT; and their families. He was predeceased by his father, George Johnson, Jr.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 21, 2022, in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, MA from 5-7 PM. Family and friends are cordially invited. His memorial service will be on Tuesday, November 22 at 11 AM at the First Congregational Church of Rockport, 12 School St., Rockport, MA. Burial will be held privately.