Orville Wayne Johnston

Allegany – O. Wayne Johnston "Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather & Friend" Wayne Johnston, 68, of Allegany, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous and heroic battle with an extremely rare cancer. Born October 13, 1953, in Ottumwa, Iowa, he was the son of Orville and Joan Johnston. Wayne was a 1972 graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a Military Police Officer from 1972-1975. On May 15, 1973, while stationed in Neu Ulm, Germany, he married his high school sweetheart Jeanne Atwell Johnston, from Andover, NY. Upon an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Wayne attended and graduated from Alfred State College with a degree in drafting. He then worked for the Worthington Corporation in Wellsville. In 1981, the family moved to Olean where Wayne worked for the Dresser Corporation. He then attended St. Bonaventure University, majoring in Business Administration. After attending St. Bonaventure University, he accepted a position as Chief Engineer at TODCO Corporation in Cattaraugus, NY. After leaving TODCO Corporation, he and his business partner started their own company, Monroe Table Corporation, Salamanca, NY. Wayne lived live to its fullest and would drop anything to help family and friends. He and Jeanne were fortunate enough to travel extensively. They traveled to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Holland, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Columbia, South America. In 2017, after enduring extensive radiation, he and his son Owen traveled to South Africa for a hunting excursion, which again showed his strength and determination to fight this disease, along with his strong will to live. In November 2019, Wayne and Jeanne, along with family and friends, renewed their wedding vows in Germany, while on a river cruise through Europe. Wayne was an avid sport enthusiastic. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and a season-ticket holder for St. Bonaventure men’s basketball games. He took great pride in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and didn’t hesitate to coach from the sidelines. One of his greatest passions, however, was golf. He was a long-time member of Bartlett Country Club, serving on the Board of Directors for many years. Wayne was often referred to as “Mr. Bartlett”. His passion for golf took him all over the country playing courses such as Torrey Pines, Chamber’s Bay, The Olympic Club, Oak Hill Country Club, along with courses outside the country such as The Teeth of the Dog (Dominican Republic), and many more. He and Jeanne also shared a wonderful history of many scenic rides on their Harley Davidson, even traveling to Sturgis, South Dakota for the motorcycle rally. Wayne was an avid hunter. He helped his son-in-law, Jason Honeck, build Camp Copperhead in Rushford, NY. This camp held many special memories, along with many “camp stories”. Wayne was very proud that he had the opportunity to hunt with his father-in-law, sons, son-in-law, and eventually his grandsons. His presence will be missed, but the stories will be in abundance. During Wayne’s valiant fight to live, he received a video message from Jim Kelly, former Buffalo Bills quarterback, with poignant words of encouragement, as Jim reflected on his own battle with cancer. Wayne was very passionate about Little League baseball, serving on the Board of Directors and coaching his sons for many years. He was a long-time member of the Archbishop Walsh Sports Boosters Club. He was instrumental in the planning of the original Rally in the Valley, after attending a similar event in Illinois. In addition to his wife, Jeanne, of 48 years, Wayne is survived by his mother, Joan Johnston of TN, three children: sons, Owen (Kristy) Johnston of Honeoye Falls, NY, Jeffrey (Val) Johnston of Chatham, IL and daughter Angela (Jason) Honeck of Allegany, NY; seven grandchildren, Evelyn and Orion Johnston of Honeoye Falls, NY, Hunter and Ella Johnston of Chatham, IL and Madison, Kennedy and Hudson Honeck of Allegany, NY; two sisters, Marj (Joe) Myers of White Pine, TN and Melody Jones of Haines City, FL; his brother-in-law/sister-in-law, Pat and Lisa Atwell of Quincy, IL, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ben and Eileen Palmer of Alfred, NY, and sister-in-law Suzanne Atwell (Roanne Kovach) of Penfield, NY; and several nieces and nephews and their families, who all held a special place in his heart, along with many special friends. Wayne was predeceased by his father, Orville W. Johnston, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Corinne Atwell and his granddaughter, Olivia Johnston. Family and friends may call at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean, from Friday, November 12, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. Family and friends are invited to his Memorial/Celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday November 13, 2021 at Bartlett Country Club, 32 Euclid Ave., Olean. The service will be officiated by Patrick Atwell and Ben Palmer. All are welcome. Burial will be at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, please send any donations to Bartlett Country Club, 32 Euclid Ave, Olean, NY to the Wayne Johnston Memorial Fund, where donations will be dedicated to the youth golf and tree replacement programs. “Good-bye Wayner! Until we meet again!” Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com .