JOHNSON, FRANKLIN RALPH - The death of Franklin Ralph Johnson, husband of Louise (Noble) Johnson of Fredericton, NB, occurred on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Franklin was the eldest son of the late Ralph and Nita (Machum) Johnson and was born on August 3rd, 1929 in New Jerusalem, Queen's Co. This community was expropriated in 1953 to form Base Gagetown. He is survived by his wife, Louise; his son Glenn Franklin of Fredericton, NB; one sister, Thelma McConchie (Ross) of Grand Bay and two brothers, Floyd Johnson of Ketepec, NB and Bob Johnson of Gagetown, NB; three step-daughters, Katherine (Gord) Skead, Patsy Appleby and Tracey (Chris) Brown and two stepsons, Ted (Ruth) Noble, Rick (Pam) Noble, several step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife, Alberta (Green) Johnson of Hampstead in 1987, his daughter Barbara Lynn Malek in 2008 and infant daughter Carolyn Jean in 1959. Franklin spent his entire career in an effort to support and expand viable livestock operations in the Province for 35 years which led to the position of Director of Animal Industry for several years. His career began on the family farm with involvement in a 4-H club at eight years of age. He and teammate the late Michael Routledge were successful in Dairy Cattle Competitions both provincially and at the National Level in 1947. He attended the NS Agricultural College from 1948 to 1950 and then MacDonald College (McGill) graduating in Animal Science in 1952 with a B. Sc (Agri) degree. He took employment in Ontario with Agriculture Canada for one year and then transferred to the Experimental Farm in Fredericton from 1953 to 1956. He was then encouraged to join the NB Department of Agriculture with the Livestock Branch. In earlier years he spent time lecturing at Agricultural Schools in Fredericton and Woodstock and was much involved with 4-H Clubs around New Brunswick. His career involved many judging assignments both within and outside the Province including College Royals at Truro and MacDonald College. He had a keen interest in, and promoted, quality livestock shows and sales. This involved attending many Royal Winter Fair Shows in Toronto. He was also a part of a Swine Study Tour in Great Britain in 1975. In 1994 he was inducted in the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in Truro in recognition of his many years of service to the livestock industry, breed associations and rural life. He was an honorary member of the Animal Science Society and also of the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists. He was a member of the Fredericton Golden Club and Past Past President in 2002-03. He was actively involved in the Base Gagetown Community History Association. He was a longtime member of the Grace Memorial Baptist Church and served on several boards and committees. He loved softball in earlier years and in 2008 was inducted into the New Brunswick Softball Hall of Fame along with the General Dairy Team. Franklin loved outdoor pursuits especially trout fishing and hunting along with gardening, trailoring and camping. In late May, you would always find him in the Lower Saint John River Valley picking fiddleheads, visiting numerous fishing pools and visiting many friends along the way.
The family will receive visitors at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton on Friday, May 11th, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 PM. The funeral service will take place at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Connaught Street, Fredericton on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at 11 AM with Rev. Doug Hapeman officiating. Interment will take place in the Central Hampstead Cemetery. For those who wish and in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes made to the MS Society, The Canadian Liver Foundation or Grace Memorial Baptist Church would be appreciated by the family. www.mcadamsfh.com