Fritz Adolph Johnson, Jr.

Fritz Adolph Johnson, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home on June 11, 2025 with his family by his side. Fritz was the husband of the late Muriel (Anderson) Johnson, his high school sweetheart, whom he had been married to for 63 years. Together they had 3 children, Nancy Gilbride Percival (Austin L. Gilbride) (R. Reece Percival), Raymond I. Johnson (Jane), Susan E. Essex (Stewart). He was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Kelly E. Johnson, Daniel S. Johnson (Amanda), Brian J. Johnson, James P. Gilbride (Elisabeth), Jonathan R. Essex (Shannon), Jason R. Essex and 2 great-grandchildren Calliope “Callie” Johnson and Tristan Johnson. Born and raised in East Greenwich he was the son of Fritz A. Johnson, Sr. and Nora (Pengaley) Johnson. He was predeceased by his sisters Ellen and Ruth Johnson and Hope (Johnson) Senape. As a young teenager he began quahogging in order to help support his family during the great depression of the 1930s, giving all of his earnings to his mother. At the time he was making more money than his dad did at the time working in the mills. He loved quahogging the Greenwich Bay and would build his own skiffs. He continued to work on the water as an adult to supplement his income from his jobs at Brown and Sharp and Leesona Corp. where he started out as a lathe operator and eventually becoming a manufacturing engineer. He attended the East Greenwich Academy which became the East Greenwich High School, graduating in 1943 in the first class of EGHS. Fritz was alway a leader and an amazing athlete. He was the captain of the football team and played quarterback, captain of the basketball team, and catcher on the baseball team. He was offered a scholarship to Bates College, but instead made the decision to enlist in the US Army one month after turning 18. Fritz became a Tech Sergeant and an expert with rifles, training many troops and serving in Japan during World War II. He was always very proud of serving his country. While on leave in 1945 he and Muriel were married in their hometown. In 1991 he was inducted into the EG Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also recognized for his participation in the EG Townies Semi-pro Football Team and the EG Y Basketball team. He was very proud that his son Raymond was also inducted into the EG Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020 as a Golden Avenger. For Fritz, volunteering was something he loved to do and continued throughout his life, starting when he was in the Boy Scouts, manning the telephones at the Varnum Armory during the 1938 hurricane. At the age of 14 he joined the East Greenwich Fire Dept. as a junior volunteer firefighter. While still in high school, many of the boys would respond to fire calls in town because most of the men were off to war. It was then that his love for the fire department began. He continued to serve the EGFD in many roles throughout his life. First as a volunteer fireman, then as an EMT on the rescue truck, and Fire Commissioner. He was on the committees for the Fireman’s carnival and parade in town for years. He could often be seen holding the nozzle of the “Volunteer” pumper during muster competitions. These events were the major fund raisers for the East Greenwich Veteran Fireman’s Association. Fritz or Adolph, as he was known to most in town, was one of the founding members and served on the planning committee for purchase of the land and the building of the club on Queen St. Fritz was active in many roles at the EGVFA, serving as president, treasurer, and bar manager for 35 years. He loved going to the hall every morning for coffee and playing cards with friends as well as lunches every Thursday and Saturday with his son Ray and son-in-law Stew. As a volunteer fireman, he responded to a house fire on Kenyon Ave. which had been hit by lightning during a storm. Fritz and several other firefighters were caught in a backdraft resulting in his being severely injured and hospitalized with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands, arms, lower legs, and around his neck and ears. Fritz also volunteered for many years at the East Greenwich Senior Center calling bingo every Monday afternoon and teaching ballroom dancing with Muriel. Family always came first and his children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. He was always ready to help and support them in all of their accomplishments, cheering them on at numerous sporting events. He always enjoyed his vacations with his kids and grandkids to New Hampshire and Cape Cod every summer. Fritz was a passionate reader, cook and gardener. He always stayed active with karate, running, and playing golf. After retiring, he and Muriel were able to do some well deserved traveling and cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the health care providers who gave him exceptional care in the past few months. Your kindness will always be remembered. Committal prayers with military honors will be held on Friday June 20, 2025 at 11:30 am in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Calling hours: Thursday June 19, 2025 from 4-7 pm at the Fagan Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HILL – SKEFFINGTON FUNERAL HOME OF EAST GREENWICH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hope Hospice www.hopehealthco.org or to Helping Hearts or to Special Olympics, 370 George Washington Hwy, Smithfield, RI 02917 www.specialolympicsri.org