Wilton, NY - Arthur H Johnson Sr., resident of The Home of the Good Shepherd, a former resident of North Greenbush, NY, Long Bayou, FL and Ballston Spa, NY, died Friday, February 10, 2012 after a short illness. Born in the city of Rensselear on April 6, 1919, he was the son of the late James H. Johnson and Ella (Fuller) Johnson. He spent the first nine years of his life in the Troy Orphan Asylum (Vanderhyden). He was reunited with his parents for 3 years and then at age 12 he lived in a boys home in Lebanon, NY where he learned the trade of cabinet maker. At age 16 he started making his own way in life, gathering adoptive families along the way that fell in love with the quiet, selfless man. Art was a veteran of WWII, a Sgt (E4) in the US Army Air Corp, attached to the 5th Air Corp. He was a first cook for a forward operating radar unit behind enemy lines in New Guinea and the Philippines. In 1943, before heading overseas, he married Gladys E. Sagendorf of Snyders Lake in North Greenbush, NY. He worked for Ford Motor Company in Green Island, NY, retiring as the plant carpenter in 1978, after 32 years. Upon retirement he traveled to Hawaii and Guam and visited most of the 48 continental states. He and his wife spent their winters in FL for over 25 years. Art was an avid gardener and woodworker. He also was a self-taught pianist and harmonica player. His favorite venues were Honky Tonk and Rag Time. He was also an avid baseball fan and boxing fan. He loved ping pong and played well into his 86th year. Arthur had a wonderful sense of humor, a strong work ethic and was a devoted family man. In addition to his parents, his brother James H. Johnson and his sister Rose G. Brown predeceased him. Survivors include his wife Gladys Johnson of Wilton, NY; three children, Arthur Johnson Jr. and his wife Barbara of Milton, Fl, Diana Bisnett and her husband Tom of Ballston Spa, NY, Kathie Wait and her husband Ed of Rock City Falls, NY; his sister, Mildred Johnson of White Plains, NY; 8 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren who loving referred to him as Great Johnson. Relatives and friends may call 10 to 11am Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373) to be followed by a funeral service at 11am at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at 12noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.