Harold Allen Johnson

FREEPORT – Harold Allen Johnson died peacefully on May 1, 2026, at his beloved home in Freeport after a long battle with a rare gastrointestinal disorder. He frequently said he couldn’t survive another Trump presidency, and we are glad for him that he doesn’t have to.

Hal was born in Evanston, Ill. on March 1, 1947. As a child, his family moved to Glastonbury, Conn., where he graduated from Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University.

After graduating from college and doing some traveling, Hal and his family settled in Freeport in the late 1970s. Early in his career, he worked for Cummins North Atlantic and C.B. Kenworth, holding various positions including lead mechanic and shop foreman, before later partnering with his wife in running their home childcare center. After that, he became a well-respected handyman, painter, and craftsman before retiring.

Since his youth, Hal was deeply creative, dabbling in painting, silk-screening, photography, and creating objects with Baltic birch. Most recently, he found a passion for pottery and spent countless hours at Portland Pottery honing his skills. He became quite good, sending beautiful pieces to family members and decorating his front yard with large white spherical “moon jars.”

Hal loved his time at “PoPots,” where he nourished his creative spirit and found a treasured community of friends. Sitting behind the potter’s wheel and the friendships he found while doing so made the last years of his life some of his happiest.

Hal is survived by his son Kristofer Johnson (Guylene) of South Pasadena, Calif., his daughter, Leah Russell (Keith) of Dayton, Ohio; and his brother, James Johnson of Moscow, Idaho. He adored his three grandchildren, Alexander Johnson, Whitfield Russell and Quinn Russell. Hal also leaves behind some cherished friends, the family of Dennis Welsh and Anne Ball, Crawford and Candy Taisey, Ursula Wilmot and her family, Stephen and Judith Brown, Loren and Frances Leong, Olivia “Westy” Overbey; and his countless kindred spirits at Portland Pottery.

The family would like to express our gratitude for Hal’s excellent care team over the last few months: the R3 staff at Maine Medical Center, Dr. Quadri, Dr. DeMars, CHANS Hospice (especially Lydia and Gretchen), and the MAID team/volunteers.

Per his wishes, Hal’s ashes will be spread off the coast of Freeport. A private celebration of his life was held at Portland Pottery, the place he loved spending time the most.