James W. Johnston

Waltham – Mr. James W. Johnston, of Waltham, died Wednesday, September 26, 2012 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 78.

Jim was born in Everett on May 15, 1934, a son of the late James and Mildred (Winberg) Johnston. He grew up in Cambridge before his family moved to Somerville prior to his senior year in high school. After graduating from Somerville High he served for a number of years with the United States Army National Guard.

On February 6, 1955 he married the love of his life, Barbara C. Hurley, of Brighton at Saint Anthony's Church in Allston. The couple lived in Malden and in Brighton before moving to Waltham in January of 1963. Until his retirement Jim worked for forty-one years as a financial analyst for the Polaroid Corporation.

Before and especially after retirement Jim was very active at Saint Mary's Parish in Waltham where he served on the finance committee and was also a long-time altar server. He also enjoyed volunteering for the Meals on Wheels Program in Waltham and had been a Cub Scout leader at the Plympton School in Waltham.

In addition to his bride of fifty-seven years, Barbara C. (Hurley) Johnston, he leaves his children, James W. Johnston, Jr. of Waltham, Patricia M. Butler and her husband, David, of Killingly, Connecticut, Karen E. Muise and her husband, David, of Waltham, Susan L. MacDougall and her husband, Robert, of Winchendon, and Carolyn B. Colantino and her husband, Salvatore, of Canton; his grandchildren, Shannon, Ryan and Kevin Johnston, Michael, Christopher and Katherine Butler, Jessica, Adam, and Dylan Muise; his great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Wyatt; his sister, Claire Stevens of Stoneham and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jim's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, September 28th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, 72 River Park Street, Suite 202, Needham, MA 02494.