Donald F. Johnston, 82, Home Builder

donald_johnstonDonald F. Johnston, 82, of North Andover, husband of Nancy Ann (Stevenson) Johnston, passed away Jan. 17, at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Sanford, Maine, he was the son of the late Fraser A. and Ida Mae (Coats) Johnston. He was a graduate of Sanford, Maine, High School. After high school, he was drafted in the United States Army, served two years in Korea and was honorably discharged. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was the president and CEO of Donald F. Johnston and Company Inc. of North Andover. His son and daughters worked with him building homes in Reading, North Reading, Tewksbury, New Hampshire and Maine. He was a legend in the building industry and was inducted in the Massachusetts Homebuilders Hall of Fame. He was president of the Homebuilders Association of New Hampshire and was a member of the North East Builders Association. In his spare time you would find him on the slopes skiing, on the golf course or hunting and fishing in New Hampshire and Maine. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid New England sports fan.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Thomas G. Johnston of North Andover; eight grandchildren, Heather L. White of Amesbury, Shawn M. White and Karla Fonseca of Lowell, Stephanie L. White of Bath, Maine, James M. Nutton III, Donald J. Nutton and Ryan P. Nutton, all of North Andover, Stacy M. Lytle and her husband Jarrod of Haverhill, Thomas G. Johnston II of Lawrence; eight great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including Winnifred L. Thyne of Methuen, Fraser and Linda Fredericks of Salem, N.H., Clifford and Robin Fredericks of Simpsonville, S.C. He was predeceased by his daughters, Donna L. Dupuis and Beverly Nutton.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at Sacred Heart Church, South Main Street, Bradford. Burial takes place in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA 01843.