Yes, I'm the girl who likes Lions Club events, Bingo and Lawrence Welk. I love my grandfathers, other people's grandfathers, and anyone who reminds me of a grandfather.
Needless to say, I hit the mother lode when I met John Johnson, the owner of an old-time, main-street grocery store, arguably the hub of our small community. I didn't know John well, but during the hundreds of trips I made to his "Friendly Market" for a loaf of bread, pound of cheese, or something I didn't really need, I always made sure to stop by the cookie aisle. There, 91-one-year-old John sat perched in a chair--reading the paper, discussing the day's events with a friend or napping--always wearing his trademark red vest. When our children entered the picture, they looked for Mr. John to say hello, often getting a pretzel or even a coin in return.
Last week, John passed away. Through several stories written up in the local paper, my affection for this dear man grew even more. He was a true humanitarian, serving the people of our town in his quiet, unassuming way--running tabs for people who'd hit hard times, donating to civic groups and events, sending gift baskets to people who needed a pick-me-up and so on. He was an unsung hero, who gave freely without expectation.
Several days after John died, we were downtown for a family event--trolley rides, a moonbounce--the works. We were headed to the post office, when John's funeral procession turned the corner. First a car with an open-bed full of flowers, followed by a hearse with John's flag-draped coffin inside, and a seemingly endless string of cars bringing up the rear. The procession crawled up the street, pausing once briefly...in front of John's store (which was directly across from where we happened to be standing.) It was a subtle, stirring moment, just like the man for whom the gesture was made.
John's was a legacy of selflessness. He won't make the history books, but his actions did make a difference. And while he won't be the last little old man to win my admiration and affection, he's one I'll never forget.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110511/NEWS01/105110345/Haddon-Heights-grocer-dies-91-remembered-an-icon?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE
