Tributes

Conway-.. Ralph E. Johnsen, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at his residence. Ralph, born in Yonkers, NY on August 16, 1934 to Ralph and Ellen Eriksen Johnsen, lived briefly in Brooklyn, NY before returning to Yonkers, where he completed his education at Westchester Community College. Ralph and his sister, Gerrie, came from a musically talented family. Ralph learned to play the violin and knew music theory by the age of five. He also played the banjo, and had a wonderful tenor voice, which could be heard throughout the church. He became an accomplished guitar player and formed a country western trio, The Hillbilly Hotshots, and performed in the NY area in the mid 50's, in addition to calling square dances for various organizations. This love of music was passed on to his two daughters, Susan and Dawn and their children. It brought Ralph great joy to see his family continue this legacy especially when he performed with his daughters at Thistle Masonic Lodge in Yonkers, NY where Ralph was a past Master. He had the honor of inducting his own father as Master after his term was completed. Ralph played various sports including soccer and college basketball. He was an avid sports fan, and was always hopeful that his NY Jets would repeat their 1969 Super Bowl victory. He was fortunate to have played in seven ShopRite LPGA Pro-Golf tournaments in Absecon, New Jersey. He was also proud of his Norwegian heritage, having heard of his parents' life in Norway. Wanting to keep this heritage alive, he and his sister organized four reunions bringing family members together to celebrate and share their traditions and love of family. Ralph held a variety of engineering positions during his career, having worked in Connecticut, NY and Philadelphia at Phelps Dodge, Crawford & Russell, Bechtel Engineering, Heyward Robinson and Herman Goldner before forming his own successful pipe and valve sales company, Rejayy Engineering. Ralph, having a love of golf, traveled to GolfSmith in Austin, Texas where he became proficient in creating custom made golf clubs, establishing another successful company. At Asbury United Methodist Church, Tuckahoe, NY he was Superintendent of Sunday school, taught the 9th grade confirmation class and was a junior and senior youth leader for many years. Ralph introduced many of the youth to skiing on week-long outings and enjoyed canoe trips with them on the Delaware River. He was also coach of the Christian High School Basketball team in the Yonkers, NY league. Ralph's faith in Jesus Christ gave him a desire to share the Gospel and he took every opportunity to do so. He attended Evangelism Explosion in order to be better equipped to share God's Word. With what he learned there, he initiated and led a Sunday church service at Evergreen Campground in Pamona, NJ during the summer months, he opened his home to Bible studies, taught Sunday School and became a member of the Gideons International, all with the purpose of bringing people to Jesus Christ. He retired to Conway, SC and found a new church home and extended family, whom he grew to love, at Homewood Baptist Church. He served as Deacon, assisted with leading an Adult Sunday School class, and was a member of the Men's Discipleship Group. Ralph always had a concern for those who were experiencing difficult times, and faithfully served on the Benevolent Committee at Homewood. Surviving are his wife, Mary Johnsen of Conway; two daughters, Susan Fanok and husband Jeff of Skillman, NJ, Dawn Potter and husband John of Freehold, NJ; six grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Sarah, Jeffery, Katie, and Kimmy; one sister, Gerrie Riker of Mastic Beach, NY; several nieces and nephews, and other loving family members. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Monday at Homewood Baptist Church with Rev. Earl Spivey officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-9:00 pm Sunday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel. Memorials may be sent to Homewood Baptist Church Benevolent Committee, 3290 Hwy. 319, Conway, SC 29526. Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Ralph Erling Johnsen

February 23, 2011