Gary Johnston

Gary Johnston, age 76, of Landenberg, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2017 after a courageous battle with leukemia.  Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late John C. and Elizabeth Johnston.

Gary graduated from Scranton Technical High School in Scranton, PA and studied drafting at Penn State University in Wilke-Barre, PA.  Gary held various jobs at Pratt-Whitney, Chrysler, and DuPont before becoming co-owner of Bruce Industrial Company, a mechanical contracting company located in New Castle, DE.   

Gary liked to work hard and play hard.  He was always unapologetically himself and full of life with a colorful story or joke to share. He was a certified pilot and an avid motorcycle enthusiast who enjoyed riding with his sons including several trips to Sturgis. He owned numerous antique cars and often entered them in car shows and parades. Gary enjoyed engineering and designing and could fix anything.  He would drop everything at a moments notice to help someone in need.

Gary was a member of the Mason’s, Antique Automobile Club of America, and Rock Presbyterian Church.

Gary and his wife Grace took many Newell motor coach vacations across the US including a trip to Alaska and Mexico.  For many years, Gary and Grace have enjoyed spending winters in Florida and have a vast circle of friends in the Cypress Woods community in Ft. Myers.

He will be greatly and deeply missed by many – he was definitely one of a kind.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his grandson, Bryan Johnston.  Gary is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Grace Ann Stubbs Johnston, sister, Gayle Davis (Norman), sons, Christian Johnston (Maryann), Douglas Johnston (Debbie), daughters, Amy Spencer (Dean), Sarah Lammers (Scott), Kim Stubbs, Sheri McIntyre (David), and Vicki Stubbs.  He is also survived by grandchildren Christian Johnston, Jr., Jeremy Johnston (Kelley), William Johnston, Rachel Johnston, Matthew Dennis (Emily), Samantha Holbrook (Kyle), Marissa Milliner (Andrew), Amanda McIntyre and Kendall Lammers as well as 6 great grandchildren and former wife, Barbara Johnston.  He will be greatly missed by his dog and constant companion, Chloe.

The Johnston Family would like to thank Dr. Petkova and the entire staff of 6B at Christiana Care for their expert care and support over the last 9 months. 

A viewing will be held Monday, February 27th from 5pm to 8pm at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200  Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE  19808.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 28th at Rock Presbyterian Church, 30 Rock Church Road, Elkton, MD at 11am with a viewing from 10 – 10:45.  Interment will be at Sharp’s Cemetery in Fair Hill.

The family suggests honoring Gary’s memory by Paying it Forward and doing an act of kindness for someone in need.

 Service Information