Robert Jean Johnson Jr. Dies At Age 38

Robert Jean Johnson Jr.

Robert Jean Johnson Jr. died at his home on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on January 16. He was 38.

Mr. Johnson was born August 8, 1972, in Manhattan to Robert Johnson Sr. and Patricia Marie Butler. After graduating from Westbury High School, he attended St. John’s University in New York where he studied secondary education and history. Although he held several 
positions after college, he was most proud of working along side his grandfather, the late Arnett Butler, as an electrician’s assistant.

Though Mr. Johnson grew up in Westbury, he spent countless summers on the Shinnecock Reservation where he was a member of the Shinnecock Presbyterian Choir. In 1996 he was ordained as an elder in the church and faithfully served the congregation. As an adult he returned to Shinnecock to fulfill a promise made to his grandfather to care for his ailing grandmother. He worked tirelessly to carry out this promise, never complaining, because his love and commitment to family outweighed the sacrifice, survivors said. While his life would seem short, those who were touched by him understood that the quality of his life far exceeded the quantity of years he had to live it, they added.

Mr. Johnson, they said, was known for his friendly disposition, incredible generosity and infectious laugh. He was not much for words but would go out of his way to help a person in need. He had two great loves in life: collecting and repairing old cars and singing. Just mentioning the names Frank Sinatra, Placido Domingo or Luciano Pavarotti would bring a smile to his face, survivors said.

He was predeceased by his mother, Patricia Marie 
Johnson. He is survived by his father Robert Johnson Sr. of Hempstead; a sister, Jolynn Sanders of Manhattan; two uncles, Jeff Johnson and Fred Johnson; two cousins, Brian Hughes and Angela Hughes-Johnson; six aunts, Sue Johnson, Tutti Johnson, Lois Johnson, Ann Johnson, Reba Johnson and Cynthia Johnson; a nephew, Joseph Sanders; a brother, Jason Johnson of Shinnecock; his maternal grandmother, Arlene Butler of Shinnecock; great-aunts Shirley and Bernice Smith; and his best friend, Kenneth Stropak of Shinnecock.

Visitation took place Sunday, January 23, at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral Mass took place Monday, January 24, at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at Shinnecock Cemetery.