Obituary for Alfred John Johnson
Alfred ‘Al’ Johnson, 93, of West Yarmouth, Navy veteran, father, grandfather and great-
grandfather, passed away at home on February 2, 2021 following a brief illness.
He was fondly known as ‘Butsey,’ his childhood nickname, to his siblings and their families –
due to his round, brown, button eyes (and not the 40 years of smoking cigarettes..).
Al famously held many different jobs – shoveled coal in a steam engine, cook in the Navy,
worked in a shoe factory, carpenter, etc., before attending college. He graduated from
Bridgewater State College in 1963 and became a teacher, continuing his education with a
Master’s in Education and several courses. He led a lifetime of active learning.
He had a passion for reading and expanding his mind to views outside the mainstream. He built
his own house from the ground up with his family in 1970. He created his own summer income
by growing a field of tomatoes and selling them roadside, long before it was in vogue to do so.
He enjoyed sailing in Hyannis harbor, canoeing on Dennis Pond with ‘Brown Dog,’ and loved
chocolates, but only the ones that passed his ‘thumbprint’ test.
He would philosophize at length about history, education, and career choices, and the power of
words, books, and creating a story. He appreciated music as a conduit for these stories, and
copyrighted numerous folk songs in the 1970’s. He also enjoyed classical music, and was a
collector of violins and other instruments.
Al was a teacher of Industrial Arts in the Barnstable Public Schools until age 55, then had a very
active retirement, leading a biking club, playing volleyball and enjoying musical performances
with friends at the Yarmouth Senior Center. He was an active participant in the Appalachian
Mountain Club for many years and led hikes and canoe trips throughout Cape Cod. Al played
the piano, guitar, violin, and harmonica, and delighted family events with his impromptu
performances and public napping.
He is survived by his longtime companion Irene Holmes, his ex-wife of 43 years and close friend
Marilyn Johnson; son Eric J. and his wife Patricia Johnson, daughter Lori Johnson Bechard and
her husband Glenn Bechard; grandchildren Kyle and Kurt (and wife Lauren) Johnson, Joshua
Cushman, Andrew Brazil, Samuel and Corine Bechard; great-grandchildren Bradley, Adam and
Andrea Johnson; sister Marie Marsden, and countless nieces and nephews. He was pre-
deceased by his daughter Lisa Brazil and 6 siblings.
grandfather, passed away at home on February 2, 2021 following a brief illness.
He was fondly known as ‘Butsey,’ his childhood nickname, to his siblings and their families –
due to his round, brown, button eyes (and not the 40 years of smoking cigarettes..).
Al famously held many different jobs – shoveled coal in a steam engine, cook in the Navy,
worked in a shoe factory, carpenter, etc., before attending college. He graduated from
Bridgewater State College in 1963 and became a teacher, continuing his education with a
Master’s in Education and several courses. He led a lifetime of active learning.
He had a passion for reading and expanding his mind to views outside the mainstream. He built
his own house from the ground up with his family in 1970. He created his own summer income
by growing a field of tomatoes and selling them roadside, long before it was in vogue to do so.
He enjoyed sailing in Hyannis harbor, canoeing on Dennis Pond with ‘Brown Dog,’ and loved
chocolates, but only the ones that passed his ‘thumbprint’ test.
He would philosophize at length about history, education, and career choices, and the power of
words, books, and creating a story. He appreciated music as a conduit for these stories, and
copyrighted numerous folk songs in the 1970’s. He also enjoyed classical music, and was a
collector of violins and other instruments.
Al was a teacher of Industrial Arts in the Barnstable Public Schools until age 55, then had a very
active retirement, leading a biking club, playing volleyball and enjoying musical performances
with friends at the Yarmouth Senior Center. He was an active participant in the Appalachian
Mountain Club for many years and led hikes and canoe trips throughout Cape Cod. Al played
the piano, guitar, violin, and harmonica, and delighted family events with his impromptu
performances and public napping.
He is survived by his longtime companion Irene Holmes, his ex-wife of 43 years and close friend
Marilyn Johnson; son Eric J. and his wife Patricia Johnson, daughter Lori Johnson Bechard and
her husband Glenn Bechard; grandchildren Kyle and Kurt (and wife Lauren) Johnson, Joshua
Cushman, Andrew Brazil, Samuel and Corine Bechard; great-grandchildren Bradley, Adam and
Andrea Johnson; sister Marie Marsden, and countless nieces and nephews. He was pre-
deceased by his daughter Lisa Brazil and 6 siblings.