Published in the September 18, 2015 edition

Preston-Johnson-obit-webMELROSE — Preston S. Johnson, 92, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Sunday, September 13.

Preston was born in Lawrence on January 11, 1923, and was the son of the late Leonard P. Johnson and Margaret (Stillman) Johnson. Preston was raised in Andover and before graduating high school had started working on the Boston & Maine Railroad. At age 16, he was earning 65 cents an hour and beginning a lifelong fascination and love for trains. Preston dedicated his entire career to B&M Railroad, rising to the position of chief dispatcher before retiring in 1984. He settled in Melrose with his late wife Carol, where he regularly volunteered his time and energy to give back to the community in which he lived.

Preston was a member of the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society, and served as president of the Old Railroad Wheels Club for 20 years. His passion was trains, and he loved sharing his years of experience and knowledge with fellow train enthusiasts.

With a career on the railroad that spanned nearly five decades, Preston had a depth of knowledge that made him an unofficial historian for B&M. He traveled extensively across North America via only trains, documenting and photographing his travels for print in railroad publications. He recorded in detail on train cars and specifics on track routes for his own enjoyment as well as to share with others. Through his years working, he made several lasting relationships built through a common love for trains including his fellow B&M workers he called his “surrogate sons.”

Preston was a man of action who thought it was better to be doing than talking about doing. He was never idle, filled his retired years with community service, and always remained selfless and humble. Preston served as president of the Melrose Chapter of AARP, served on the Board of the Milano Senior Center, and was a longtime member of the Wakefield Retired Men’s Club. He was also regular volunteer in the city of Melrose through the recycling program, the American Red Cross Blood Drives, the Trinity Church Thrift Shop, and enjoyed driving fellow Melrose residents and friends to appointments through the FISH program. He frequently attended Melrose Symphony concerts, enjoyed lunch every day at the Milano Senior Center. He supported the Pine Street Inn, Homeless Veterans, the Perkins School for the Blind, Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Salvation Army.

In his personal time, he enjoyed seeing the world by train or cruising the ocean by boat. He was an ocean lover, and collected and cataloged photographs of both trains and boats. Later in life, he found comfort in the friendship of fellow Melrose resident Dorothy Pearl. Together, they traveled by train across North America into Alaska, down the California coast and back home across the US. They explored New England by train and car, all while sharing a love for adventure and laughter.

“Pres” was the beloved husband of the late Carol E. (Reading) Johnson. He was the dear and longtime loving companion of Dorothy A. Pearl of Melrose. He was the uncle of John W. Reading of Brookline. He was the “Surrogate Father” of Rick Hurst and his wife Carol of Westford; Alan MacMillan and his wife Susan of Rockport; Wayne Hills of Wilmington and Tom Coughlan and his wife Peggy of Lawrence.

Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Preston’s life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose during visiting hours on Wednesday, September 16, and again for his funeral service on Thursday, Sept. 17. Gifts in memory of Pres may be made to Friends of the Aging, c/o Milano Senior Center, 201 W. Foster St., Melrose, MA 02176. For directions or online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.