Peter Johanson

Obituary for Peter Johanson

Peter Henry Johanson, age 89, of Wayne, passed peacefully on President’s Day, Monday, February 16, 2026, just 6 weeks short of his 90^th birthday. At home in the Pines Lake section of Wayne where he had moved exactly 50 years earlier in February 1976, he was surrounded by the loving care of his wife, Barbara; by the home that he had so lovingly improved and maintained throughout the years; and by the comforting memories of all the family members, friends and neighbors who loved him and whom he loved in return.

Peter was born on March 31, 1936, in Arlington, Massachusetts, to Shirley (Jungclaus) and Sune Edwin Johanson (who had immigrated from Stockholm through Ellis Island). In his youth, Peter resided in Bloomfield and Caldwell before moving to Clifton, where he graduated from Clifton High School in 1954. More importantly, he attended Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nutley, where he met his wife of 67 years when he was still just a senior in high school. He was the cute boy in the first pew, and she was the first soprano in the choir. That relationship of faith remained throughout their entire married life as they both served on the boards of various churches, volunteered for a long list of positions, and attended service every Sunday morning right up until a few months ago when a fall left him confined to his bed. From St. John’s Evangelical Church in Clifton, to St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne, to Packanack Community Church in Wayne, and back to St. Timothy again, Peter struck up a conversation with everyone he met as he listened to the sermons and sang his favorite hymns. He continued serving his community when he became a driver and trustee for the Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, where his wife Barbara, son-in-law Chris Ratcliffe, and granddaughter Karilyn Grimaldi served in various positions. Peter was also a proud and active member of the Nor Bu Lodge of the Sons of Norway.

Peter and Barbara were married in August 1958 and went on to raise their two daughters, Elizabeth and Karyn, in their first home on Cresthill Avenue in Clifton before moving to their dream home in Pines Lake in 1976. Peter used his carpentry skills to improve every room in both houses, and even single-handedly built a state-of-the-art kitchen as an addition to their Cresthill Avenue home. When not swinging a hammer, pushing a wheelbarrow, paddling a canoe or rotating the tires on the car, Peter kept himself busy as a volunteer assistant swim coach for the Passaic YWCA Dolphins swim team, where his two daughters were in the pool five days a week.

Peter’s true love, however, were his dogs. From Misty the German Shepherd, to Holly the Poodle, to Francine and Maxine the Bichon Frisés, to Cody his present Labradoodle, Peter found true joy in man’s best friend. His house was always open to the many dogs that his daughters were constantly adopting. The dog-loving tradition continues on with the next generation.

Following high school, Peter attended Fairleigh Dickenson University, but soon realized that his talent for making friends with people could earn him a good living as a salesman. The Tri-State area is littered with machine shops where Peter could talk for hours about custom parts that needed to be ordered so that industrial machines could be made. He eventually started his own company, Pinecrest Manufacturing Services, in 1995, which he and Barbara operated together. A few years later, his son-in-law, Bill Giannini, joined him as a partner, and together that little team of family members successfully ran the business, which is still going strong today.

Inasmuch as Peter was blessed with two loving daughters, he was equally blessed by his two sons-in-law, Bill Giannini and Chris Ratcliffe, both Wayne boys who became like sons to him. They were as loyal and loving as anyone could ask for. Peter was also blessed by his four grandchildren and their spouses, all of whom he loved so much and took great pride in. And in June 2025, Peter became a great-grandfather to James and Jack, who were born 8 days apart.

In the early years of their marriage, Peter and Barbara vacationed every summer in one of his favorite spots – Lake George, NY. They rented a rustic cabin where the floorboards squeaked and the screen door slammed. But they didn’t care because the real action was out on the lake where Peter drove the motorboat as his two daughters waterskied behind. Peter and Barbara also had a large group of friends who loved to travel, and they spent many a vacation visiting places such as Bermuda, Mexico, Venezuela, the Canadian Rockies, the Caribbean Islands, Europe and Alaska.

One of their favorite memories is of their trips to Ottawa, Canada, where Peter’s best friend and fellow Clifton High School graduate, Robert Arndt, was residing at the time. Although Peter always called him by his nickname – Archie. Recently, Peter would often say, “I want to go see Archie,” who died in 2020. On the morning of February 16, his prayer was finally answered. In the quiet hours of a dark and wintry day, the angels came to take him to his eternal springtime home. At least that’s what his family believes. Because just that weekend, he had been laughing, smiling, singing, and enjoying his favorite meal. But the smile on his face on the morning that he died was all the proof they needed to know that Peter had been reunited with his best friend, Archie, and that he was once again sitting in church and singing his favorite hymns.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara; daughters Elizabeth Giannini (Bill) and Rev. Dr. Karyn Ratcliffe (Christopher); grandchildren Robyn Tsang (Charles), Alissa Giannini, Peter Giannini (Erin) and Karilyn Grimaldi (Thomas); and great-grandsons James Tsang and Jack Giannini. He is also survived by his brother, Edwin Johanson (Pat).

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In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Peter to the St. Timothy Memorial Fund, the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, or a charity of your choice would be a wonderful way to honor his memory and continue his legacy.