Senate Resolution No. 2095

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MOURNING the death of George L. Johansen, devoted
husband and father, meritorious veteran, and
distinguished New York State Trooper

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; George L. Johansen was one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of George L. Johansen, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, George L. Johansen, a long-time resident of Peekskill, New
York, died on Saturday, August 5, 2023, following a lengthy illness that
he refused to let define him, and bravely fought for over 12 years; and

WHEREAS, George Lawrence Johansen was born to Lawrence and Louise
(Dalton) Johansen in Staten Island, New York, where he attended
Tottenville High School; he proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army and was a combat veteran, having fought in
Vietnam during the early part of the conflict in 1965 and 1966; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return from the war, George L. Johansen joined the
New York State Police in 1967 where he worked until his retirement in
1991; and

WHEREAS, Soon after becoming a New York State Trooper, George L.
Johansen met the love of his life, the former Joan Edwards, and the
couple married in 1969; they were married for 54 years and had two
adoring children, Amy and Eric; together as a family, they enjoyed
traveling, camping, skiing, SCUBA diving, and sailing; but most of all,
George was happiest when they were simply all together around the dining
room table; and

WHEREAS, During his distinguished New York State Police (NYSP)
career in Troop K, George L. Johansen investigated and helped solve many
high-profile crimes throughout the Hudson Valley region; as the Senior
Investigator at NYSP Peekskill, he loved working with his squad and
cherished the lifelong friendships that were forged during this time;
and

WHEREAS, Following his retirement, George L. Johansen held many
positions in Law Enforcement and Security; in 2001, he very proudly
returned to policing, serving the New York and New Jersey Port Authority
Police Department as the Deputy Superintendent until 2007; his
illustrious law enforcement career concluded with a return to the New
York State Police where he worked as an Investigator/Consultant until
2019; and

WHEREAS, George L. Johansen was well known and respected for his
over 50 years of public service which also included serving the City of
Peekskill as a Councilman and Deputy Mayor; and

WHEREAS, An accomplished private pilot certified to fly single and
multi-engine planes, George L. Johansen loved to fly with his great
friends and fellow aviators with whom he shared thousands of hours in
the cockpits of many types of aircraft; his personal favorite was a
seaplane which he loved to take off from and land in the Hudson River
and surrounding creeks in Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, George L. Johansen was also a talented sailor who loved to
skipper sailboats and powerboats all over the Caribbean Sea, or up and
down the inter-coastal waterway with his friends and family; his
favorite islands were St. Thomas, St. John, and Jost Van Dyke, and he
loved to visit the Willie T; and

WHEREAS, If he wasn't soaking in the warm Caribbean sun in the
wintertime, George L. Johansen could be found on the ski slopes; he
skied all over the Northeast, the Rockies, Canada, and the Alps, and
even got Joan to the top of many mountains; and

WHEREAS, Throughout their marriage, George and Joan traveled the
globe together; they cruised the Mediterranean and river villages of
France; biked through the vineyards of Napa Valley, and visited Taiwan,
Scandinavia, and the British and Greek Isles; they were true world
travelers and best friends; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, George L. Johansen also found time to attend
many Super Bowls, World Series Games, NASCAR races, and even sped around
the Charlotte Speedway driving a Richard Petty Stock Car; he found great
joy in sharing his favorite hobbies and thirst for adventure with his
family and closest friends; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife and children, George L. Johansen is
survived by his daughter-in-law, Catherine (Trerotola); three
grandchildren, Eric, Leila, and Melissa; three sisters Carol (Danny)
Meyler, Gail (Patrick) Lomma, and Dawn Johansen; as well as many adoring
nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends; he was predeceased by his
sisters Marylou and Joyce; and

WHEREAS, George L. Johansen's infinite selflessness and benevolence
will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight
and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to
the countless lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, George L. Johansen leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will
be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of George L. Johansen, and to express its deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of George L. Johansen.