The Press., 1914-04-01

N WOOkCA aAO pist, died at his home last Friday af- ternOon. after a brief illness of heart failure, MT. Johnson was our fore most citizen and his loss is keenly felt. His memory will live, how ever, as his best gift to the community, the hospital, is but just commencing a period of usefulness which none of us can compute. The plain, kindly,
 helpful man is no more, but his ex- ample of Christian citizenship and his ideal of service live and are a souroe of inspiration to all who want to make this world better place. Mr.
 Johnson took his stewardship very seriously and the fortune that he &C., cumulated by his sagacity and indus try was used with the best wisdom at his command. He wanted but little for himself. As his income increased his scale of living remained about the same. He denied himself many things that other men consider necessary or desirable, and when his fortune as- sumed proportions suitable, he gave with princely liberality. MT. John son was born on a West Stafford farm, Dec. 17, 1881. He commenced work when he was 16 years of age, start ing as a card boy in a woolen mill in Staffordville. In 1870 he became superintendent and part owner of the Phoenix mill, aud from that time his rise was rapid. In 1881 he helped organize the Riverside mill and soon became agent and treasurer of the company. In 1888 the Central woolen company was organized.
 While he was more prominently iden. tified with the Phoenix, the Riverside and the Centrally he was interested in many other corporations, local and outside enterprises. He was not afraid to take a chance, and while he occasionally took loss. his invest- ments as whole proved profita ble. He was interested in young men, and there are many who have had the helpful advice and the more material assistance, when it was most appreci- ated. MT. Johnson had no time nor inclination for politics, nor for society in it's more brilliant aspects. As a sound banking and in the course of events became president of the First National Bank, holding the position until about two years ago. The same quiet simplicity, good judgment and kindly interest governed in his con- nection with this institution and the respect and friendship accorded him by his associates were most thorough ly appreciated. The deceased was a Republican in politics, believing that this party had sound and safe ideas for the growth and development of New England, as we'll as the rest of the country and was for years mem Der of the Home market club. Mr. Johnson's religious preference found expression with the Congregational denomination and he was a liberal supporter of church work. He was much interested in the Y. M. o. A. organization and had been a liberal contributor to that branch of work. He was married May 21, 1857 to Miss Julia 0. Pinney, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pinney, and she sur wives him. He also leaves a brother, Vim. Johnson of Hampden and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Pinney and Mrs Henrietta Smith, both of this town The funeral was held from the Con- gregational church Monday afternoon. A prayer service at the home in the Hollow proceeded the ceremony here.
 Factories and business places were closed during the funeral. In spite of the weather the church was filled. In add ition to the throng of A the local people gathered there were many men from out of town prominent N in woolen and manufacturing circles. K The floral tributes were imposing, in- cluding 40 set pieces in addition to the smaller offerings. Included in \ the list were pieces from the Stafford ville Congregational church, employees of the Cyril Johnson Woolen Co.,. i, Hospital Library association, The IWoonsoGket Worsted Go. and from the various manufacturing plants in town. Rev. l.. Rees, pastor of the Oongrega- tional church, officiated at the cere- mony which was very impressive. The basis of the words of consolation were taken from Proverbs XVII, "The memory of the just is blessed. |" This thought seemed to so aptly apply to the long life of sobriety, integrity and brotherly kindness spent in this community. MT. Johnson, in these days of sumptuous living, was a splendid example of the simple life, far sighted and prudent that he might bestow lasting benefit to his fellow townsmen and their posterity. Music was by the Henschel quartette of Springfield and added much to the beauty of the service. The bearers were Freeman F. Patten, Vim. Park,
 Robert W. Smith, A. I. Mitchell, O. G. Gilligan and Frederick Swinde1l of Rockville. The burial was in the Stafford Springs cemetery.
 The will of Cyril Johnson has been filed for probate and F. F. Patten and ". o. Rockwell are the executors.
 The heirs at law, fourteen in number are left $1O,OOO each, amounting to 40, 900, the residue of the estate =-------- -- II v