Robert Johnson Obituary

Robert Edward "Bob" Johnson
1947 – 2025
Robert Edward "Bob" Johnson, age 78, of Wyckoff, New Jersey, passed away suddenly and tragically on Friday, October 10, 2025.
Bob was born at Paterson General Hospital and grew up in Hawthorne, New Jersey, the son of Estelle and Robert G. Johnson. From his earliest years, he was known for his energy, curiosity, and tireless work ethic. At just 11 years old, he ran his own paper route before and after school - the first glimpse of the drive and determination that would define him throughout his life.
Like his father, Bob developed a love for mechanics and could fix or rebuild just about anything. He had the rare ability to take apart an entire car motor and reassemble it to perfection. Music was another passion. In his teenage years, he was a charter member and tenor drummer for the Hawthorne Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps, performing and winning awards in multiple circuit competitions and championships from 1959 to 1966 - bringing rhythm and joy wherever he played.
Bob was in his 2nd year of college when he first saw Helen Galinski marching in a Memorial Day parade. He often said he was like "Roger Rabbit". He was enchanted at first sight. Fate intervened one afternoon when he stopped at the local dry cleaners, and there behind the counter was that girl. Summoning his courage, he asked her out, and - as Bob loved to tell it - "she's been taking me to the cleaners ever since." That chance encounter marked the beginning of a love story that has spanned more than 53 years - one built on laughter, devotion, and an unshakable bond that only grew stronger with time.
Bob shared a lifelong and extraordinary bond with his twin sister, Betty Jane. Though distance sometimes separated them, they remained inseparable in heart, speaking often and visiting whenever they could. Their closeness - rich with affection, humor, and mutual devotion - was one of the great constants of Bob's life, a twin connection that transcended miles and years.
After high school, Bob began his career at Rice & Verblaauw Certified Public Accountants, working full time by day while earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from Pace University in New York City at night - a testament to his perseverance and determination. Soon after graduation Bob was proud to go on to earn his CPA. Over the course of his distinguished career, Bob built a reputation for hard work, integrity, and quiet excellence. He ran his own CPA practice for twenty years before joining SEBCO Laundry Systems in Raritan, New Jersey, where he served as Controller for 22 years until retiring this past June. His colleagues remember him for his steady presence, sharp mind, humor, and unwavering loyalty.
At home, Bob was the heart of his family - the builder, fixer, teacher, and storyteller. He delighted in creating elaborate science projects, crafting Halloween costumes, and helping his kids (and later his grandkids) bring their ideas to life. One of his proudest moments was taking flight in a World War II military aircraft at the Teterboro Air Show - a lifelong dream realized.
Bob absolutely cherished being a grandfather. Nothing brought him greater joy than visits from Ethan and Athena, who lovingly called him PaPa. The moment they arrived at the house, they would run straight to greet him and Babcia Helen, their laughter filling every corner. He loved those moments - scooping them up in his arms, listening to their stories, and watching their laughter light up the home. To them, he was more than a grandfather - he was their playmate, their storyteller, and their greatest cheerleader.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Helen, his loving children Stephanie Johnson and her husband Bradley Bender, and Eddie Johnson and his wife Marthe Cherubin, along with his cherished grandchildren, Ethan and Athena, who filled his life with joy, laughter, and pride. He is further survived by his brother Charles Ostrowski, his sister Ruth Ortman, his beloved twin Elizabeth Jane Magers, and his lifelong best friend Robert Clegg, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family who will forever carry his warmth, humor, and love in their hearts - a lasting reflection of the strong, kind, and
generous spirit that defined him.
Friends may visit with the family at the Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's R.C. Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of one's choice.