Sydney Johnson, polling executive

Sydney Paul Johnson of Ridgefield, a computer executive who had been active in the Catholic Church, died Monday, July 18, 2005, at his home after a long illness. He was 60 years old, the husband of Cynthia Francesca Johnson, and the father of St. John Johnson.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mr. Johnson was born on Nov. 20, 1944, a son of Hugo Napoleon and Myrtle Alice Humble Johnson. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and graduated from Lehigh University with degrees in physics and in engineering. He earned his master’s degree in economics at the University of York, England.

Mr. Johnson then lived in England for 16 years, working in market research on computer software and statistics.

He returned to the United States to help develop software, but soon joined Louis Harris, the polling and market research company, as vice president of computer systems.

Mr. Harris became a friend and when Mr. Johnson became disabled some years ago, “he was really instrumental in helping the family,” Cynthia Johnson said.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson met through friends in New York City, and were married at the Episcopal Little Church Around the Corner in New York City in 1986 and then in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Bedford, N.Y., in 1987. The Johnsons had lived in Bedford from 1986 before moving to Ridgefield in 1997.

A convert to Catholicism, Mr. Johnson was active in the Marquette Council, Knights of Columbus, in Ridgefield where he was a third degree member. He had been a fourth degree knight of the Dr. John G. Coyle Assembly in White Plains, N.Y.

Mr. Johnson was a member of St. Mary’s Church, where he had attended daily mass and had been a participant in worshipping at the Adoration Chapel. In Bedford, he had been a lector at St. Patrick’s Church.

“He worked very hard to develop a community and home life, despite being disabled,” Mrs. Johnson said. “He was an enabler. He enabled people around him to do the best that they could.”

As a scientist, she said, “he absolutely believed that science and God are not in opposition. He believed that God created scientists. He was a brilliant man and scientist, and a great fan and student of Albert Einstein.”

Although he was six feet, four inches tall and had an imposing aspect, she added, “he was a very gentle man.”

Besides his wife and his son, who is a student at Sacred Heart University, Mr. Johnson is survived by two brothers, Bruce E.H. Johnson and Kenneth H. Johnson, both of Seattle, Wash.; a sister, Carolyn Johnson of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and six nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, Bedford.

Friends may call Friday between 9 and 10 a.m. at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the National Organization of Rare Disorders, P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813.