Obituary of Eric C. Johnson

Johnson, Eric C. age 71, was born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in Wyckoff. Eric served four years in the US Navy. He was a member of the Wyckoff Protection Fire Company No. 1 for 20 years and Cub Master for Pack 198 for the years 1982-84. In 1997, he left the secular work world and joined the staff of Touch the World Ministries. His first duties were to research, make contact and visit new areas for mission trips in the United States and around the world for young people. On a mission trip to Cuba, Eric met a young pastor. Together they realized they had a common vision to reach the teens of Cuba with the gospel of Jesus. Twelve young people were the beginning of the Anadores de Almas (Soul Winners Club). Today there are over 1800 young people meeting weekly for Bible study and to learn how to reach out in love to their friends and family with the gospel. The Cuban Ministry was his full time work and passion. Eric thought it ironic that during his years in the navy serving on the USS Monrovia, the Cuban people were the enemy but they became his family in Christ. Eric is survived by his wife, Maria (nee Perrone) of Wyckoff, his two sons, Carl R. and his wife Lara of Portland, OR and Paul A. of Little Ferry and one brother, Craig Johnson of Brewster, MA. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 2:00 - 4:00, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, 11:00 AM at Cornerstone Christian Church, 495 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Eric's memory to Touch the World Ministries, Cuba Ministry, 1 Maple Street, Allendale, NJ 07401.