Lynbrook resident, Marine vet John Johnson, 68

For many years, community members in Lynbrook would often see a man with a cigar in his hand, sitting in a brown pick-up truck with a dog hanging out of the passenger-side window, and immediately recognize that it was John Johnson.

“Everybody knew that truck and recognized the dog,” recalled his wife, Tammy Johnson, referring to his pets, Eddie and later Luke. “Everybody just wanted to know him and be with him.”

John Johnson died on Sept. 8 of heart issues, but left a lasting legacy in Lynbrook due to his strong involvement in the community. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Johnson was a proud member of the Lynbrook American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. While stationed in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, he served as an interpreter and in combat, earning the National Defense Service Medal among other accolades. After the war, he served as VFW commander for three years.

Johnson had a successful career with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and worked his way up to becoming the chief transportation officer before retiring in 2012. Because of his knowledge of the transit system, Johnson had the opportunity to work with and train Denzel Washington when the actor was preparing for his role in the remake of the film “The Taking of Pelham 123,” released in 2009.

“There were a lot of laughs,” Tammy recalled of her late husband working with Washington. “It was always fun.”

Tammy and John met when she began volunteering at the VFW in 1999, and they began dating in 2006. They wed on April 15, 2013. They didn’t have children, but John had four children from a previous marriage. Tammy said she was drawn to her future husband because he was a strong, commanding person who gained respect from those who met and worked with him.

“He was a very selfless man,” she said. “He was a no nonsense guy. He was very blunt, but treated people fairly and drew people to him.”

Johnson spent most of his life in Lynbrook, which is where he raised his family. When he met Tammy, they moved to Hicksville and East Meadow before settling back in the village. In Lynbrook, John coached high school football and basketball and also volunteered as a coach for CYO teams.

In addition to being active in the community, John enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean and Italy, was a big Yankees and Jets fan and an avid golfer. He was also a fan of “Blue Bloods” and would often play along when people mistook him for the show’s star, Tom Selleck, who he beared a resemblance to, Tammy said. “He would have fun with it,” she added.

About 400 people attended Johnson’s wake at Perry Funeral Home on Sept. 12. Tammy said many of them were members of the community he wanted to pay their respects to someone who was there for them. His community outreach also extended to helping widows of his fellow veterans.

“He was just that type of community guy that anyone in need could call up and ask a favor,” Tammy said, “and he would be there.”