Fr. Stephen D. Johnson

LEICESTER - Fr. Stephen D. Johnson peacefully completed his pilgrimage in this world on Thursday, September 15 the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge. He was in the company of brother priests and members of his family.     He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on September 7, 1945 and was raised in Hazardville, CT until he entered St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, CT following his graduation from the eighth grade. He went on to continue his studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Worcester on May 13, 1972 by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan at St. Paul’s Cathedral.     During the thirty-nine years he preached and lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ he carried on his ministry throughout Worcester County. His first assignment was to St. Rose of Lima, Northboro. While coordinating the Youth Ministry for the diocese, he was assigned to St. Aloysius in Rochdale. For nineteen years he was pastor to the North Quabbin Catholic Community, which included the parishes of Our Lady Immaculate and St. Francis of Assisi in Athol, Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Royalston and St. Peter’s, Petersham. Since July of 2009 he has been the Pastor of St. Joseph and St. Pius X parishes in Leicester.       During his service in Youth Ministry he was responsible for introducing TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and REC (Residents Encounter Christ) to this area, and through this he became an advocate for Dismas House, a transitional residence for former prisoners. Fr. Steve loved being a priest and for twenty-five years was a member of an international brotherhood called The Fraternity of Priests. He gave clear evidence of being a compassionate man of deep faith in his genuine concern for young people and the disadvantaged. For many years while pastor in the North Quabbin region he would bring young people to Juarez, Mexico to help out at Casa de Asis, an orphanage there. While Chaplain in the Scouting Program he was granted the St. George Medal. He was also actively involved in the Pro-Life Movement helping to open Problem Pregnancy, a crisis pregnancy center in Athol and receiving the Gospel of Life Award from the Diocese of Worcester. He was the Chaplin for the Knights of Columbus, Athol Council 1182 and the Leicester Council 4528 and he was also a BSA Eagle Scout.       He is survived by his brother George “Buzz” Johnson and his wife Rachel and their son, Nick, his step-brother Francis Allard and his wife Barbara and their daughter Dr. Leathe Allard. He is predeceased by his mother Fannie Allard and her husband Joseph as well as his sister Barbara Klopotek.     Calling hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 759 Main St., Leicester with a Wake Service led by Bishop George Rueger at 7 pm.     The funeral Mass will be concelebrated with Bishop Robert J. McManus on Monday, September 19 at 11 am in St. Pius X Church, 1154 Main St., Leicester. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester.     In lieu of flowers please make contribution to either Clergy Benefit Fund, Box 498, N. Uxbridge, MA 01538, Problem Pregnancy, 105 Main St., Athol, MA 01331 or Casa de Asis, Juarez, in care of Sister Frances Alonzo, 2400 Marr St., El Paso, TX 79903. $(document).ready(function(){ });