John R. Johnson of Baiting Hollow died on Feb. 22, 2025, at home. He was 79 years old.
He was born on Oct. 4, 1945, in Renton, Washington, to Marjorie Shank and John Johnson. He earned a BS in chemistry from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Brown University. Johnson married Patricia Johnson on June 2, 1979, in Center Moriches. He worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory for 42 years, where he conducted seminal research in materials science, nickel and metal hydride, and lithium-ion batteries. He was also a member of the BNL Hydride Program, studying hydrogen storage methods and working on the RHIC project. His family said he contributed to many scientific patents and enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, and following his favorite sports teams, as well as spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Rodney Holzworth. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, his daughter, Katherine Lewin, and son-in-law, Brian Lewin, of Wading River; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jonathan Lewin, of Wading River; his brother, Joseph Carlo, of Federal Way, Washington; and his sister, Sherry Scott, of Panama City, Florida.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alexander Rothwell Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Shoreham. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Shoreham.
