Michael T. Johnson

Age 38, of Edgewater Park, NJ passed away unexpectedly on October 24th, 2018.

As Hope Hose’s slogan states “When duty calls ’tis ours to obey.” Mike was the embodiment of this when it came to being a firefighter. His “official” start in firefighting started at 16 as a Junior Firefighter at Beverly Fire Company No. 1, following in his father and brother’s footsteps. While learning and rising through the ranks, he began to expand his volunteering to other organizations as well; Beverly-Edgewater Park Emergency Squad, Westampton Twp. Emergency Services. He later transferred from Beverly Fire Company No. 1 to Hope Hose Fire Co. #2. He would rise through the ranks at this station as well until finally reaching his dream of becoming Fire Chief.

He was later hired as a full-time firefighter with Bordentown Twp. Fire Department, and then onto Cinnaminson Fire Department. He was a past Fire Commissioner for Edgewater Park. He was the current Emergency Management Coordinator for Edgewater Park.

Mikey was a proud Third-Degree Master Mason and active member with the Beverly Riverside Masonic Lodge.

It was easy to tell who Mikey liked (everyone), but as he would say “If I’m not making fun of you, then I don’t like you.” or just generally pranking them. Those who left their cellphones/laptops unattended would get a surprise when they returned to them, all sorts of crazy/inappropriate websites. Everyone knew his loud, contagious laugh; he laughed with his whole heart and lit up a room in equal parts. He hated when people were sad and would do anything and everything to cheer them up. Even things that would embarrass normal people, but everyone knew that you could never embarrass Mike. He owned his craziness with pride.

He had a love for his toys, big and small. Whether it was his remote-control cars, remote control helicopters or his drones. One of which was lost right after opening the box and turning it on, never to be seen again. But the most important of these were his bikes. Going from street bikes to cruisers, he loved and rode them all. He loved giving his “Harley guys” friends a hard time with his Honda VTX or later his Yamaha Stratoliner stating that he’d “never get a Harley”. Boy did they give him a hard time for “coming to the dark side” with his newest bike, a Harley Davidson Road King. Mike was always riding . It became a joke when his daughter came around if he was going to get her a side car for her or just put her in the saddle bags.

While four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul; Mikey was most at home on his bike, looking for adventure and whatever came his way.

He liked just about every kind of music; be it rap, country, salsa, R&B, it all depended on his mood. A devotee of Spotify and was often heard singing: “Turn down for what?”. He even had soundtracks saved just for certain people or occasions. He had a special mix for when he took his wife out for a ride on the bike, for parties, etc.

He’d meet a girl named Heather Britt in 2005 and immediately told her she was his soulmate: she’d laugh in his face and told him he was nuts. In any case, his laugh and sense of humor won her over in end. Their first date was to an awards banquet for the Westampton Twp. Emergency Services. A whirlwind romance, and year later from the day of their engagement, they’d marry. The only stipulation was that Mikey could always have a bike. Their 12-year union was blessed in 2017 by a daughter Makayla. And, of course, Mikey was the world’s leading expert on all things Makayla, from her daily schedule to what she should wear, to just her facial expression meanings. Being a stay at home dad, most days found them cruising around town, her in her “whip” with him following close behind with the remote control on their way to the park. He is survived by his parents, Wylie C. Jr. and Margaret “Peggy” Johnson; his brother Wylie C. III & sister-in-law Tracy, nephews and niece Wylie C. IV, Austin “AJ” & Marissa. With his marriage he got more than a wife, he got a 2nd family; especially his parents-in-law, Joseph & Donna Britt and his new “Sis” and brother-in-law, Jessica & Jason Schmitz who gave him another niece, Brenna, and nephew, Logan. He is also survived by many uncles, aunts, and cousins. And just as important to him were his extended families in the Mason’s, his brothers in the SIFFMC, and his firehouse family.

Please come celebrate 38 great years of life on Thursday, November 1st, 9-11 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly where there will be a service at 11 a.m. Followed by Internment at Lakeview Cemetery in Cinnaminson.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you give generously to The Mike Johnson Memorial Fund, where proceeds will be used for Makayla’s care and future education. ( https://www.gofundme.com/the-mike-johnson-memorial-fund).