Rev. Gordone. Johnston

NISKAYUNA – Rev. Gordon E. Johnston, 83, of Niskayuna, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 9, 2013 at his residence. He was born in Brooklyn and was the son of the late Gordon W. and Marie Kaufmann Johnston. He attended Concordia Collegiate Institute, Bronxville, NY from 1942 to 1950 and Concordia Seminary St Louis, MO from 1950-1956. He was ordained in his home church in West Hartford, CT by Pastor Martin Duchow. Upon graduation from seminary, Pastor Johnston was called by the Atlantic District as a mission developer in Latham, NY. During his years in Latham, he canvassed the community, held services in a local hall, facilitated the formation of Resurrection Lutheran Church and the erection of a church building. During this time Gordon was asked to speak at the Lutheran Adult Group of Schenectady and met a young school teacher, his future wife Florence Chandler. In 1960, Pastor Johnston accepted the call of St Matthew Lutheran Church, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. During his nine years at St Matthews, he was involved in the building of an education building and a new church. In 1969, Pastor Johnston was called to serve at three New York City hospitals. He received specialized training in Clinical Pastoral Education. In 1976, the Rev Johnston was asked by the Atlantic district to begin a chaplaincy program at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.
As pastoral care coordinator and Protestant chaplain, he developed a ten session training course for lay visitors, a night chaplain program using local clergy who stayed in the hospital overnight, and clergy seminars. Retiring from Ellis Hospital in 1992, Pastor Johnston continued as part-time chaplain at Good Samaritan Lutheran Home, Delmar, and at Albany Medical Center in Albany.
The Rev Gordon Johnston has served as Shepherding Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church. During his years in Schenectady, he has also served as founding member of the Samaritan Counseling Center as well as Haven of Schenectady, served on the board of Hospice and as registrar of the Schenectady CROP Walk.
He was predeceased in 2012 by his beloved wife of 54 years, Florence C. Johnston. He is the devoted father of Mark B. Johnston of Houston, Texas, Ruth M. LaBrie of Scotia and David M. Johnston (and Paula Harrington – daughter-in-law) of Albany. He is the cherished grandfather of Marie E. and Joseph C. LaBrie. He is survived by his brother Robert Johnston and his sister Jean Hitchcock.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Schenectady. Calling hours will precede the service on Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Church. The service will start at 1:00p. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 in memory of Rev. Gordon E. Johnston.