Harley was born April 13, 1930, in Newport, Vermont, the youngest child of Richard James Johnson and Maryanne Marquis Johnson. He attended Portland schools and graduated from Portland High in 1949. He excelled at football, playing varsity his freshman year and later becoming captain of the team.
In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and fought in combat in Korea achieving the rank of sergeant of a machine gun unit. He was awarded the combat infantryman badge but rarely spoke of it or of his time in the service. Privately, he was a very proud veteran.
Upon returning to the states he lived and worked in Connecticut for a short time before returning to Maine. On April 28, 1964, he married Joan F. Cote and together they raised a family in Biddeford. Harley loved the outdoors, hunting and especially fishing, which in later years was a favorite pastime of his and Joan’s together.
Harley worked for Pioneer Plastics and then as a machinist for Maremont Corp. and Saco Defense, retiring in 1989 due to illness.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Joan, in 1988. He never remarried.
He is survived by: three sons, Barrett Johnson and his wife Sandra of Lyman, Barron Johnson and his fiancé Jane Bradley of Shapleigh, and Mike Bourassa of Biddeford; a daughter, Joyce Simpson and her husband Calvin of Alfred; grandchildren Wyatt, Leah, Brad, Nick, and Andrea; and several nieces and nephews.
He will always be remembered for his strength, humor and love of his family.
Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com
There will be no services and a private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Harley’s memory to the Center for Grieving Children, an organization that helps children cope with grief and loss. The website is [email protected].
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