Richard A. Johnson

Richard A. Johnson, 74, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. Born May 26, 1944 in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late J. Arvid Johnson and the late Audrey (Tucker) Johnson. Raised in Warwick, Richard attended Warwick Veterans High School and graduated from The Providence Country Day School in 1963 where he was a member of the wrestling and football teams. Richard attended the University of Rhode Island, graduating with a degree in history. He competed for URI on the wrestling team and was a brother at Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Upon graduation he joined his father in the family construction business at J. Arvid Johnson Company. Richards career as a general contractor included executive positions with his familys business, as well as with E. Turgeon Construction. Most recently, Richard was the owner/operator of his own general construction consulting business, Richard A. Johnson Company. During his career in the construction industry, he was involved in labor relations for the carpenters and laborers unions and was active in the RI Chapter Association of General Contractors. Richard participated in the political scene in Rhode Island, serving on Claudine Schneiders campaign, the first female elected to Congress from the state. He was also active in the successful campaign of Arlene Violet, elected to RI Attorney General in 1985. Richard himself ran successfully for a delegate position at the State Constitutional Convention in 1986. From 1985-1991 he was Chairman of the RI Solid Waste Management corporation. Affectionately nicknamed "The King of Trash", Richard pioneered early efforts to establish a statewide recycling program. In addition to his native Rhode Island, Richard spent many years living in Portsmouth, NH and summered in Jackson, NH. He enjoyed his winters skiing and became an avid year-round mountain hiker. He hiked every 4,000-foot mountain in New England, sometimes many times over. He was legendary for his ability to beat people of all ages to the top. He loved to share stories of his hiking adventures, including a number of close encounters with a variety of bears. Richard was a fantastic cook, and loved to partake in fine dining and wines. He shared his passions generously with family and friends. Richard is pre-deceased by his former wife, Clara Bonard Johnson. He leaves behind his three children, Lara (Johnson) Montle and her husband Michael of South Kingstown, RI, his son Christopher Johnson of Peace Dale, RI, Ariana (Johnson) McBride and her husband Ryan of Hingham, MA as well as 4 granddaughters, Bridget and Maggie Montle, Andrea and Claire McBride, and his brother Ronald Johnson of Warwick, RI. Services for Richard will be private. A celebration of life will be held later this year in his adopted home state of New Hampshire. Memorial donations in his honor can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Head and Neck Oncology Center. For more information or condolences, please visit www.rajmemorial.com