Ryer Johnson

Ryer W. Johnson, 73, of Blairstown, formerly of Wayne, passed suddenly on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with the comfort of his wife and sons by his side.

Ryer was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Carl and Bertha Johnson, residents of Wayne. He attended the Alps Road and James Fallon elementary schools, the Anthony Wayne Middle School, and graduated Wayne Valley High School in 1970. He went on to Cumberland County College.

After leaving college, Ryer joined his dad and brother in the family business started by his grandfather, Johanson and Son Machine Corporation in Clifton. Over the years, he learned to work on all the machines in the shop. He also learned welding and took classes in CAD to learn how to design custom machine parts. He later moved on to the positions of purchasing agent and vice president, working in the company for 40 years. Following that, he became self-employed at home, rebuilding machines for former Johanson customers until he retired in 2023.

Ryer was a quiet man, but quick with a smile and a helping hand. He may not have seemed to be paying attention to a conversation, but would suddenly come up with a quick, witty comment or joke that was relevant, surprising those around him. He was the handiest guy, a regular “tool man”, able to fix almost anything, but of course needing a new tool or so to get the job done. There wasn’t a tool he didn’t like, and he was probably on a first-name basis at the local Home Depot or Lowes.

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From a very young age, he had an adventurous spirit, always wanting to try something new. Among many activities, he enjoyed motorcycling, scuba diving, hunting, camping, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, and working on cars. Some of his favorite times were spent with his dad deep-sea fishing on the family boat, summer vacations in Wildwood with his kids and grandkids, and road trips to Maine, Nashville, and New Orleans. An animal lover like his mom, he and Janet gave a very good home to many lovable dogs and cats over the years, from Bernie, his St. Bernard, to Raegan, his beloved Golden, now without her “dad”.

Ryer met his wife Janet (Van Steyn) many years before they started dating. He was nine and she was three. He was best friends with Janet’s older brother, Paul, from kindergarten, whose family moved into Ryer’s neighborhood where the two boys could then play together. She was just his friend’s pesty younger sister for years, but things changed in 1976. They started dating and then married in February of 1980. They bought a house in Wayne, living there until 2024. Ryer and Janet were blessed with four wonderful sons: Ryer Jr., Keith, Matthew, and Steven. It was a crazy life running around with them to all their activities, but Ryer made a point to be at every game and practice. And he loved it! Unfortunately, their son, Ryer, suddenly passed in 2005. This left a huge void in Ryer’s life – he missed his son tremendously. In 2012, the family grew again with the birth of his first grandchild, a little girl named Jaelyn. Two years later a grandson named Ryer was added to the family. As they grew and started sports, he was finally watching games and horseback riding lessons again. And he loved it!

Ryer – a good, decent man with a gentle soul and a big heart, quiet and unassuming, generous, loyal and devoted, more than anything, truly loved his friends and family, his dear grandchildren, his cherished boys, and his beautiful Janet, “The best thing that ever happened to him.”

Ryer is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years; Janet (nee Van Steyn), their three sons; Keith, Matthew and Steven, two grandchildren; Jaelyn and Ryer, his sister; Cheryl Johnson and brother Carl Johnson, and extended loving family. Ryer was predeceased by his son, Ryer Jr., in 2005.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ryer’s name are asked to consider Mount Sinai Health System, Office of Development, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1049, New York, NY 10029-6574.