Craig N. Johnson
Johnson, Craig N., 83, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025. He was born on January 8, 1942 as the only child of Norman and Edice Johnson in Warren, PA.
Craig came to Philadelphia as an engineering student at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1963. He went on to receive his MBA from Wharton in 1968. While in graduate school, he met his wife, Sally (nee Van Dusen). He served in the Philadelphia City Troop – Army National Guard and had a long career in Management Consulting with roles in the shipping industry at Lavino Shipping Co. and Martians.
Craig served on numerous Boards throughout his career and into retirement including Springside School, Pocono Lake Preserve, The Academy of Natural Sciences, the Blair Corporation, Foundation for Health Equity and The Philadelphia Contributionship.
Craig was an avid artist and woodworker, creating many paintings and pieces of furniture. He loved to handyman around the house. A true engineer at heart, there was nothing he could not repair.
Sally and Craig recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He was a loving father to his three girls, Pepper (Jeff) Rexford, Jenny (Brian) Birch, and Sam Johnson. Adoring grandfather to Ainsley and Hunter Rexford, Bracken, Wade, Henry, Rieder, and Quincy Birch. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his cousin, Steve Smith.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 14 at 10:00 am at The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St Martins Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. In lieu of flowers contributions in Craig’s memory may be made to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy or Penn Engineering.
SCH Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave, Philadelphia PA 19118 www.sch.org
Penn Engineering, 123 Towne Building, 220 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu
On behalf of the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy community, we extend our deepest condolences to family and friends. Craig’s service on the Springside School Board of Trustees was a testament to his dedication to education and his commitment to shaping the future for generations of students. His leadership and generosity of spirit left a lasting impact, and we are profoundly grateful for his contributions.
Beyond his professional and philanthropic endeavors, Craig’s love for craftsmanship, family, and community was evident in all he did. May his legacy of service, creativity, and kindness continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts are with Sally, Pepper, her family, and all who loved him during this difficult time.
Dear Sally,
I read this obituary earlier in the week and was sad. Sally I am sorry you have lost such a wonderful husband and father and it seems citizen. I did not know he was sick. So sorry!
I am in remote, rural Uganda at present, in Bududa, but this notice has come across my email twice and I wanted to let you know I am thin king of you and remembering happy times when we taught together at CHA. I will be back on March 4th and I hope we could get together for lunch sometime. With lots of love,
Barbara Wybar
Craig and I were old friends. His daughter, Pepper, and my daughter, Shannon were the very best of friends their long years at The Springside School,
As a PNB banker I got to know Craig when he was at Lavino. We spent many a joyful afternoon playing men’s doubles on the grass at The Philadelphia Cricket Club.
His wife Sally was known to me as I was good friends with her brother Lew and I was friends with the Van Dusen family.
Craig was unique. He was very smart but not a show off intellectually. He was well up on topical matters, especially politics and finances. For the past several years a group of us old salt grass tennis players tried to meet monthly for lunch, review old times with some ad hominem attacks and just seemed to enjoy being in each others company after knowing each for such a significant part of our adult lives.
I will miss him greatly. Good speed Craig. You have lived the good life, you deserve a great after life.
Jerry Quill