Obituary of Benjamin A. Johnson

Benjamin A. Johnson, 28, of Cemetery Street, Fonda, NY, died peacefully on Monday, November 1, 2010 at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY, following a valiant battle with leukemia. Born in Watertown, New York on September 9, 1982 he was the son of Lawrence and Kathy Sayer Johnson. He attended local schools including St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, and later graduated from Fonda- Fultonville Central School in 2001. Ben had a passion for public service and was a member of several organizations in Montgomery County. As a youth, he joined DeMolay, St. Andrew's Chapter in Amsterdam. During his tenure with DeMolay he served as Master Counselor of his Chapter and served as an Advisor. He was awarded several accolades within the organization, including the Blue Honor Key, Founders Membership Award, Distinguished Service Award and was honored as DeMolay of the Year in 1998. Ben also was awarded the highest honor, the Degree of Chevalier. He also served as State Junior Counselor for a time. He currently was a member of the Fultonville Lodge, F&AM #531. He also was a former member of the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department, and a current volunteer with the Aetna Engine Company in Fultonville. NY. Ben's passion for public service was not just a hobby it was also part of his career. He truly enjoyed helping people. He was employed as an EMT and dispatcher for Rural/ Metro Ambulance in Nelliston and Mid- County Ambulance in Palatine Bridge, NY. He also worked for a time for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office as a 911 dispatcher. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, golfing, watching NASCAR, and being a DJ. Ben was also an avid bowler with a sanctioned 299. Above all, he enjoyed his family, friends and helping his neighbors. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Gladys Sayer in 2004. Survivors include the love of his life, the former Heather Reed, whom he married on October 25, 2008; his parents, Larry and Kathy Johnson of Fultonville, NY; grandparents, Richard Sayer and his wife Joan of Johnstown, NY and Robert and Marilyn Johnson of Amsterdam, NY; his great grandmother, Bertha Phillips of Amsterdam, NY; his German exchange sister, Heide Sasse and her husband Paul, and daughter Frieda; his "surrogate" sister, Meghann Warner of Fultonville, NY; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He also is survived by his extended family, his in- laws, Randy and Melody Congdon of St. Johnsville, NY; his two sisters-in- law, Ashley Reed and her fiancé Dean Countryman and their daughter Emma, and Genna Congdon; and his grandmother?in-law, Shirley Shannon, all of St. Johnsville, NY; and his many brothers and sisters in emergency medical services. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 11 o'clock at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY with the Rev. Christopher Hamm presiding. Interment and the Last Call will follow in Maple Avenue Cemetery, Fultonville, NY with the Rev. David Plank presiding. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 4 until 8p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made in Ben's memory to the Aetna Engine Company #1 Fultonville Volunteer Fire Department or the B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge and Hospitality House in Rochester, both in care of the funeral home office.