Harry R. Johnston Jr.
Harry R. Johnston Jr. 99, of Washington, died Friday, September 22, 2023, in his home. He was born March 21, 1924, in Latrobe a son of the late Harry Ryan Johnston Sr. and Helen C. Loughner Johnston.
Mr. Johnston graduated from Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh in 1943 and Susquehanna University in 1949 with a degree in Business Administration. He lettered in baseball at the university. He also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
In September of 1952, Harry married Nancy Welty of Ligonier and they had four children. Nancy passed away December 18, 2022.
Mr. Johnston was a member of the Church of the Covenant for over 60 years. He served as an elder, trustee and deacon.
He served in the U.S. Navy on active duty from 1943 to 1945. He was employed at the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) and participated in the invasion at Utah Beach three weeks after D-Day. He was discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class. Harry joined the Navy Reserve shortly after discharge and after graduating from Susquehanna he received a commission in the Navy. After serving many years in the reserves he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a longtime member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOOA) and the Reserve Officers Association (ROA). He served as president of the Washington Chapter #57 of the ROA.
Harry’s civilian career started with Beneficial Finance in 1949; then in 1952 he started working for Peoples First National Bank (now PNC Bank) until 1986 retiring as manager and assistant vice president of the Monongahela Office. After retiring from PNC, he was employed for a few years at Community Bank in Washington as a business representative.
He was a past president of Rotary International in Monongahela, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a former member of Rotary in Washington and served as past president of the Kiwanis Club in Charleroi, past president of Susquehanna University Alumni Association of Pittsburgh, and past president of Chartiers-Houston Band Parents. He was also a member of the Chartiers-Houston Planning Commission and the Mon Valley Progress Council. He was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Washington for many years.
Harry’s main love was family and church. He was a longtime Steelers and Pirates fan. Harry was thrilled to witness the two greatest sports events in Pittsburgh history – Franco Harris’ catch in the playoff game against the Raiders known as the Immaculate Reception, and Mazaroski’s home run, which won the World Series in 1960. He played softball until his mid 80’s in Florida, where he and Nancy spent the winter for over 20 years. He also enjoyed playing golf, card games, and collected coins and stamps.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Elmer Johnston; and sister, Jane Irene Johnston; his beloved wife, Nancy; and sons, Earl Ryan Johnston and Paul Clayton Johnston.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Cathy Helen Runyan (Timon) of San Jose, Calif., and Carol Jane Johnston of Canonsburg; and his grandchildren, Amy Lynn Johnston Clement (Chad) of Kansas City, Ryan Curtis Johnston (Liz) of Billings, Mont., and Samuel Berridge (Cassie) of Canonsburg; and five great- grandchildren, Deegan Stansbury, Emma Johnston, Michael and Joseph Clement (twins) and Masina Berridge.
Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m., the time of service, Wednesday, September 27, in The Church of the Covenant, 267 E. Beau Street, Washington, with the Reverend Billy Younger officiating. Interment will be private in The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directions, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, Andrew C. Piatt, director.