Skip to content
Obituaries
Link copied to clipboard

Andrew Johnson, 61, folk dancer

Andrew Johnson, 61, of Wyncote, a systems manager for a national organization and an avid folk dancer, died Thursday, Sept. 17, of cancer at the Visiting Nurse Association, Falls Center Hospice.

Andrew Johnson
Andrew JohnsonRead more

Andrew Johnson, 61, of Wyncote, a systems manager for a national organization and an avid folk dancer, died Thursday, Sept. 17, of cancer at the Visiting Nurse Association, Falls Center Hospice.

Mr. Johnson lived at Fifth and Delancey Streets until age 5, when he moved to Broad and Somerset Streets. Later, he lived in Wyncote.

His early years were filled with turbulence. His mother died when he was 4; Mr. Johnson and eight siblings were reared by his father and stepmother.

As a child, Mr. Johnson inhabited a world of books.

"Andy was most often seen with a book in his hand, even when the other children were playing outside. When he came outside, it was often to ride his bike to the library to borrow more books," his family said in a tribute.

Mr. Johnson excelled in school and was accepted at Central High School. He joined the stage crew for the Drama Club and liked the work so much that he also helped stage productions at the Philadelphia High School for Girls.

After graduating, Mr. Johnson earned a bachelor of science degree in computing from Temple University.

He worked for Lit Brothers and Anchor Darling Valve Co. In 1987, he began working for the National Board of Medical Examiners on Market Street in Philadelphia. He was promoted to systems manager, and worked at the organization until his death.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Johnson began participating in international folk dancing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which opened up a whole new world. He became skilled in square dancing, as well as contra, Balkan, ballroom, salsa, and swing. When an opening became available in the Janosik Polish Dance Ensemble of Philadelphia, he grabbed it.

While with the troupe, he performed as far away as Montreal. He met Shari Haas Johnson, a fellow dancer, and the two married in 1989.

Mr. Johnson devoted his leisure time to family and community. He coached boys' and girls' soccer games, refereed, assisted with baseball and softball teams, and helped run swim meets at the Beachcomber Swim Club, although he never learned to swim.

Mr. Johnson was there when people needed him. Once he drove from Northeast Philadelphia to North Philadelphia in the middle of the night to deliver medicine to his goddaughter. "Always a giver with a smile on his face, that was Andrew Johnson," his family said.

He enjoyed playing volleyball, photography, and music.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Jessica; a son Ben; his stepmother, Gladys Jones; four brothers; three sisters; and many nieces and nephews. Another brother died earlier.

A memorial service is to be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at North Penn Post #676 VFW, 2519 Jenkintown Rd., Glenside. Mr. Johnson donated his body to science.

Donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association, Falls Center Hospice, 3300 Henry Ave., Philadelphia 19129.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102