Michael G. Johnston, Former Spring Lake Police Officer, Dies At 63

Courtesy of O'Brien Funeral Home

Michael G. Johnston, Sr., 63, of Brick and formerly of Manasquan, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune with his devoted son Michael at his side.

Michael was born in Jersey City and had resided in Manasquan for most of his life before relocating to Brick Township in 2002.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manasquan. Michael was a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain and was an avid fisherman. He loved the ocean and if he wasn't out on his boat he could be found on the beach.

Mike spent his entire career working in law enforcement. He was a graduate of West Essex High School, Caldwell, and Bergen County College with a degree in criminal justice.

He started his law enforcement career as a Manasquan special officer in May of 1974 and was appointed a probationary officer in Spring Lake Heights in September of 1975. He graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy in July of 1976 and was appointed as a patrolman in Spring Lake Heights in October of 1976. He proudly served as a detective from 1984 until 1986. In 1985, he was appointed as a Sergeant and continued to serve until his retirement in October 2002, after 27 years of dedicated service to the community. He was a longtime member of PBA Local # 50.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Marie Lautenschlager Johnston, and his former wife Janice Johnston.

He is survived by his devoted son Michael G. Johnston Jr. and his wife Kristy of Brick, his sister Virginia Crowell and husband Thomas of Caldwell and their daughter Beth Crowell, his two grandchildren, Alexa Johnston and Ryan Zacco, Janice's two daughters who considered Mike as their father; Cori Lango and her wife Kristin, and Tara Valles and husband Brock, his wife Patricia Carty Rogers of Toms River and her family.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Route 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. A funeral service will be offered at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 1, 2016 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Corner of Osborn and Main avenues, Manasquan, NJ 08736. Please go directly to the church on Monday as there will not be a procession from the funeral home. Entombment will be in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Sea Girt.

Flowers accepted or the family asks that a donation be made in Michael's name to a charity of your choice in his memory.

For further information, directions, or to offer online condolences to the Johnston family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.