PRESS RELEASE: October 22, 2024

The Town of Wappinger is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Deputy Town Supervisor and Third Ward Councilman Robert “Bob” Johnston at 66 years old. Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini has directed flags at the Memorial Plaza in front of Wappinger Town Hall to be lowered to half-staff. Bob was a lifelong public servant, serving as a Captain in the City of Yonkers Police Department. Former Councilman Johnston and his wife Mary lived in the Rockingham Farms neighborhood for many years.

In 2017, Bob was elected Town Councilman for the Third Ward of the Town of Wappinger and was appointed as Deputy Town Supervisor under former Supervisor Richard L. Thurston. Former Councilman Johnston served on the Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals prior to being elected Councilman and served for just over one year in elected office prior to his resignation in 2019 after announcing his retirement and move to Tennessee.

Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini noted upon lowering the flags to half staff that, “Councilman Johnston cared for this community and was throughly involved in the day to day activities of this Town government during his tenure. During my time as an employee at Town Hall, I will always remember the collaborative efforts made between he and I, such as the installation of the Fallen Soldier Table at Wappinger Town Hall and other quality of life efforts made to make the Town of Wappinger a place we are truly proud to call home.”

On behalf of Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini, Senior Councilman William H. Beale, Councilwoman Angela Bettina, Councilman Christopher Phillips, Councilman Al Casella, Town Clerk Joseph P. Paoloni, Superintendent of Highways Michael J. Sheehan, Town Justice Heather Kitchen, Town Justice Nicholas Maselli, and all the officials and employees of the Town of Wappinger; rest in peace Bob, we thank you for your service and dedication to our community.