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John J. Johnson, retired News driver, dies at 78

JOHN A. JOHNSON Sr., retired Daily News driver, Korean War veteran and patriarch of a family with a total of 78 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, died May 2. He was 78 and lived in North Philadelphia.

JOHN A. JOHNSON Sr., retired

Daily News

driver, Korean War veteran and patriarch of a family with a total of 78 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, died May 2. He was 78 and lived in North Philadelphia.

John drove for the Daily News from the late '70s to the late '90s. He then worked in security for the Haddington Multi Services Center for Older Adults in West Philadelphia, where he also helped out the seniors with whatever they required. "He loved the seniors," said a daughter, Sandra Ivey. "He would do anything for them."

John was born in North Hills, Montgomery County, to Christine and George Johnson. He later moved to Penllyn. He graduated from Ambler High School.

He entered the Army and was shipped to Korea.

He saw combat there, including the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, but he never wanted to talk about it, his family said.

"He was disturbed about having to take a life," his daughter said.

John married his first wife, Joyce Dickerson, in 1954. He was married two more times, to Sylvia Johnson and his current wife, Phyllis Johnson.

He also is survived by two other daughters, Pamela and Kelly; three sons, John Jr., Jeffrey and Allen Warring; a sister, Gladys Debro; a brother, Edward, 27 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Services: Noon Saturday at the Haddington Multi Services Center for Older Adults, 5331 Haverford Ave. *

- John F. Morrison