Howard Johnson

Howard Lovell Johnson, age 58, departed this life on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut, with his wife, Dezi, by his side. Howie (or ‘HoJo” as he liked to be called) was born in New Haven, CT on July 21, 1965 to Lottie “Frankie” Johnson and John Winfrey, Sr., who both predeceased him. A die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he was extremely excited to see them play in their stadium in 2016, a gift from Dezi. He was not so excited when Dallas beat the Steelers in the final minutes. He loved sports and was very competitive. He enjoyed watching everything, especially the UCONN women as well as playing. He played baseball and basketball throughout his youth and adulthood and was a force to be reckoned with. He was so fast that the competition hated to see him in the game. He also took pleasure in golfing and bowling (earning the nickname of “Broom Man, because when they won all the games, he would literally taunt the other team by going to get the broom. Howie was very passionate about cooking and loved creating new dishes and cooking sauces and recipes from scratch. He worked for several years at The Bridgeport Rescue Mission and at Greens Farms Academy until he became ill. He would always say that working those two jobs gave him balance in life by catering equally to the rich and the less fortunate. Howie was amazing with kids and all the kids loved their Pop-Pop. From disappearing around the block while taking Piper for a walk, to getting in the kiddie pool after throwing Jeremiah in head-first to teaching Micheal how to dance to old school music, to soothing Mariah’s crying like no one else could, Howie was in his element and savored every minute with all of them. Howie was such a loving, protective, forgiving and spiritual man, who was a pitbull when it came to those he loved. He hated drama but he would get his point across. Even through his illness, he would always greet everyone and ask them how THEY were doing. Such a beautiful soul. Those left to mourn Howie are his loving wife, Gervaldez “Dezi” Johnson; his stepsons, Korey, Jeremy, and LaVante; several grandchildren, whom he adored; his best friend/brother from another mother, Mark Hanks; his goddaughter, Piper; his siblings Phyllis (Lou) Castillo, Edie Johnson, Marvin “Jack” (Bernadette) Johnson, and Addie (DeWitt) Stevens; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Johnson and Sharon Winfrey. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. In addition to his parents, Howie was predeceased by siblings, Linda Johnson, William “Floyd” Johnson, Charles “Red” Johnson, Deloris “Tootsie” Simmons, John Winfrey, Jr., Yvonne (George) Williams and Adrian Winfrey. . Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00AM - 1:00PM followed by a service of celebration at 1:00PM at East End Baptist Tabernacle, 548 Central Ave., Bridgeport, CT., Rev. Dr. Charles L. Stallworth, officiant. Interment will be private.

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Howard Johnson

July 21, 1965 - February 15, 2024