Obituary of Bobby Johnson

Robert Douglas Johnson a long-time youth baseball coach passed away peacefully in his home with his family at his bedside on Saturday, January 13, 2024.  He was 74 years old.  Bobby was born in Boston and grew up in Malden.  He was one of two sons born to Paul and Ethel Johnson.  It was during his high school days that he first met his future wife.  He was with friends, and they had stopped to watch a girls softball game and one of those players was a pretty young lady two years his junior, named Kathy Grant.  They dated seriously after high school and were married on July 22,1972. He had already purchased a home in Burlington 2 years earlier and that was where they remained for the next 52 years.  He loved his home and expanded it to accommodate his growing family.  It was complete with a full basketball court and pool in the back yard.  His yard was his sanctuary, and his goal was not only to have the best grass in the neighborhood but all of Burlington.  His children, grandchildren, and even his dog knew not to disturb “Papa’s Grass”. He hand-picked every weed and cleaned the leaves as they fell.   

Bobby worked as a truck driver and delivery person for most of his career.  For the 25 years before retiring he worked at Lannan Chevrolet.  He worked there longer than some of the Lannan’s and enjoyed his coworkers and clients whom he serviced for decades.   

Bobbby loved sports, especially baseball.  He started coaching in his late teens in Malden.  He then coached in Burlington for the Burlington Baseball and Softball Association.  It took a few years, but he eventually was given the Major League Dodgers to coach.  He loved teaching the skill, rules, and situational awareness of the game.  There was no “I” on his teams, rather “we”.  He taught good sportsmanship, teamwork, and instilled confidence in his players.  

For Bobby, coaching was not about helping your child along but sharing his love for baseball.  Of course, he had some rival coaches like Russ Peterson who coached the Red Sox and Joe Keohane who coached the Twins for decades that always wanted to beat, but in the end, it was all about the kids.  He also gave his time and many summer weekends to coach All-star and summer league teams in Burlington. Up until the day he passed he remembered every player he ever coached. 

Bobby’s life revolved around his family.   He and his wife Kathy shared over 51 years together.  They raised their five children, traveled, were best friends, supported each other in the good and bad times, and had a great devotion to each other.  There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his children and grandchildren, except letting them disturb his grass!  He always wanted to make sure they were safe and happy.  He was their role model and best friend.  Family time and family vacations were important to Bobby. There were summer camping trips to Clearwater campground, annual summer vacations on Cape Cod, where they filled a rental home with generations of Johnson’s.  He was a huge Disneyworld enthusiast.  It started with his kids and continued with his grandchildren.  There were Disney trips every 2 or 3 years with 16 to 22 of his family in tow.  He loved the rides, watching his grandchildren’s faces as they walked down Main Street Disney for the first time, or just eating and drinking their way around the park.  He had favorite places as well like “Zimmy’s “and “Bahama Breeze” that he had to visit at least once on each vacation.  He loved indulging his grandchildren with sweets and ice cream.  Nothing made him happier than seeing their smiling faces.  For the last three years he and Kathy have owned a seasonal home in Birch Point in Naples, Maine.  It was another place where he could bring his family together and create lasting memories.  Bobby will be lovingly remembered as a man who wanted to bring joy to his family and a mentor to the youth of Burlington.   

Bobby was the loving husband of Kathleen “Kathy” (Grant) Johnson.  He was the proud father and father-in-law of Amy Reale & her husband John of Billerica, Daniel Johnson of Burlington, Stephen Johnson & his wife Colleen of Boulder, CO, Brenda Derito & her husband Scott of West Bridgewater, and Mark Johnson of Burlington.  He was the caring brother of Edward Johnsonson & his wife Diane of Claremont, NH.  He was the fun and loving “Papa” to Sean Reale & his wife Stephanie, TJ Reale, Will Johnson, Van Johnson, Payton Derito, Jaxson Derito, Zachary Johnson, and Kyle Johnson. He was blessed to see the birth of his great grandson Nolan Reale.  He was also Papa to countless kids over the years with Kathy’s daycare children.  Bobby was also survived by many dear and amazing friends. 

Bobby was also a true pet lover.  It started when he surprised the family (mostly his wife Kathy with Ginger, a huge great Dane mix with countless other pets in between, leaving behind Axel, deemed “the greatest dog in the world”! 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Thursday, January 18 from 4-7 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, January 19 at 11 a.m.  Memorials in Bobby’s name may be made to the Jimmy Fund, www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net