Phillip Johnson

Middleburgh- Phillip H. Johnson, 64, of Coons Den Road, died suddenly on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Cobleskill Regional Hospital.

Born August 16, 1948 in Suffern, he was a son of Harold and Ethel (Ward) Johnson.

Phillip was an equipment operator at Sterling Forest Corp. in Monroe before becoming a service technician for Sears. For the past ten years he was employed at Howe Caverns, most recently as assistant operations manager.

Phil was a professional drummer, starting his career at a young age and playing for several cover bands in the New York City region. He had also modeled for motorcycle magazines.

Phil found enjoyment as a motorcyclist, animal lover, and in his job. His greatest pleasure was his family and he was a "people person".

Survivors include his wife, Judith (Ahl) Johnson, whom he married Sept. 8, 1990; his two children: Thomas (Jody) Brown of Clifton Park and Shauna (Stephen) Beyer of Cobleskill; a brother: Richard (Rita) Johnson of Monroe, VA; a sister: Susan (Kevin) Devlin of Monroe, NY; three grandchildren: Raymond Phillip Brown, Dylan Frederick Brown, and Patrick Stephen Beyer; two nieces and a nephew: Allison, Brittany, and Eric Devlin.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill with Vena Ray officiating. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held from 6 to 8 PM on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cobleskill Rural Cemetery with a celebration of life to follow at the Howe Caverns Banquet Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, Inc., PO Box 40, Howes Cave, NY 12092.