Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson passed away peacefully on May 26th, after a noble battle with Parkinson's. Jim was born and raised in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with his parents Catherine and Rueben and his siblings, Polly (survived by), Jay and Kitty. Jim enjoyed a successful career with the Bessemer Speedboys football and basketball teams. Upon graduation, he enrolled in college at Michigan Tech, graduating with a degree in Engineering Physics. Although his basketball stats at Tech did not equal his earlier Speedboy days, his biggest score was meeting his wife Nancy (Hustad) Johnson at an away basketball game at Mankato State.

After graduation from Tech and his marriage to Nancy, the couple moved to Rochester, New York for Jim's job at Eastman Kodak. He worked in the Camera Division for several decades, culminating with a 2 year assignment in Brazil. The Speedboy from Bessemer found himself thousands of miles away in Sao Jose dos Campos.

Despite being a hard working Kodaker, Jim was also a dedicated family man. He raised three children with support, caring and quiet expectations. Chris Johnson, Kara Morse and Craig Johnson are forever indebted to him for all they provided. As time passed, Karen Minard Johnson, Rick Morse and Nancy Roldan Johnson helped Jim became a grandparent. He simply adored his five grandchildren; Cameron Johnson, Colin Johnson, Jake Johnson, James Johnson and Annika Morse and took great pride in all of their accomplishments.

Jim had a lifelong interest in sports, including the Buffalo Bills, the Syracuse Orange basketball team and any activity his grandchildren were engaged with. His other passion was his place on Keuka Lake. Jim proudly owned a modest cottage with a million dollar view. He instilled the "love of the lake" into his children and grandchildren.

Jim never set out to be a hero, but he became one in the eyes of his children. Jim and Nancy had a loving marriage for over 60 years. He also emerged as a fundamentally caring person who enjoyed chatting up all who he came in contact with. Over the last 10 years, he became a constant caregiver to Nancy who is afflicted with Alzheimer's. His undying dedication to her was noticed by many. Jim's ongoing legacy will be in showing his children and grandchildren what love, caring and commitment truly are about.

Jim will be missed by all, but never forgotten.