Kenneth Alan Johnson of Bridgehampton died at home on July 13, from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), with his family by his side. He was 57 and was diagnosed with ALS three years ago.
Mr. Johnson was a lifelong New Yorker, born in Syracuse on April 15, 1959, and raised outside Albany. A track and cross country star at Shaker High School in Latham, he went on to run cross country at Cornell University, were he received a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and was a brother in the Phi Psi fraternity. Graduating from Cornell and passionate about politics, he made his sole foray out of New York State, earning a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Michigan. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of Buffalo.
Mr. Johnson worked as a corporate lawyer in New York City for Cahill Gordon, where he made many lifelong friends. He also worked as assistant general counsel for the Aquarion Company and for Wiggin & Dana in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Following a lifelong interest in the stock market, he shifted careers in his 30s, going to work in equity sales at Jeffries & Co. in New York City and, ultimately, helping head the New York office of Tudor Pickering & Holt, a Houston-based energy investment bank.
Survivors said his passions were skiing, the Yankees, tending his garden (especially his roses), politics, running, and his daughters, Evan, 18, and Charlotte, 14. He was a kind, loyal man, survivors said, who collected friends throughout his life and always saw the good in people. He served as an elder at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church.
His funeral service was July 18 at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his daughters, he is survived by his wife of 23 years, Laurie Gordon of Bridgehampton; five sisters, Cheryl Johnson of Connecticut, Deborah Nash of Plattsburgh, Kim Niforos of Saratoga Springs, Lea Ann Richards of New Jersey, and Sandra Leslie of Monsey; and a brother, Christopher Johnson of Clifton Park.
Memorial donations may be made to any scientific research group looking to cure ALS, alscenter.org, ALS.net, Theangelfund.org, or The Frates ALS Research and Support Fund.
on Jul 28, 2016