Obituary of Donald A. Johnson

Donald A. Johnson

Webster: May 3, 2024.

Donald Johnson (DJ) of Webster, NY passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024 after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born in Utica, NY, on March 15, 1960, a son of Donald W. and Elaine Marrotta Johnson. He moved to Rochester in 1981, where he received his bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. He married his wife, Teresa Stoio Johnson, on May 25, 1985 and they settled in Webster, NY to raise their family. They truly enjoyed and cherished a 39-year union.

In 1996, Don and Teresa purchased Town & Country Travel in Pittsford, NY. DJ’s interest in the travel industry, airplanes, and connecting people across the globe was contagious. A forward-thinker and entrepreneur at heart, DJ was deeply engaged in the Rochester business community. During his time as President of Town & Country Travel, DJ also held positions on the boards of the Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross and Hillside Children’s Center, among many other advisory positions in both travel and local politics.

DJ loved exploring new places and cultures with his family—from Bermuda, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean to Europe and Kenya. He and Teresa took many life-changing and memory-filled trips together. DJ and Teresa always looked forward to celebrating their anniversary at The Sanctuary in Kiawah Island. His home away from home was Cape Cod, where he visited almost every summer with his family. He could never say no to sweets from the Chatham Penny Candy Store, watching fishermen return with the day’s catch at the Chatham Pier, and long days at the beach. He equally loved moments at home with friends and loved ones, who often ran into him strolling through the Public Market, grabbing coffee at Java’s Café, and spending time with him at the region’s many golf courses.

Those who knew DJ loved him for his warmth, quick wit, and appreciation of the finer things in life. He wore the most stylish clothes, knew the best wines, loved his steak, and ALWAYS ordered dessert! At the same time, some of his favorite memories were the simple things—roasting family during the holidays, going to concerts and Yankees games, and teasing his dog, Blu. In recent years, he loved following along with his kids’ moves and travels and being able to watch his grandchildren grow up.

Don is predeceased by his father, Donald; his brother, David; his father-in-law, Carl Stoio, and his special Uncle Joe Devico. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Teresa; his mother, Elaine; children, Jason Alteri (Ashley), Lindsay, and Natalie (Kyle) LaVallee; grandchildren, Cecilia, Larina, Angelina, and Marcus; sister, Rene (Bernard); brother, Joseph (Jeannine); sister-in-law, Kelly Johnson; nephews and niece, Joseph, Michael, David, Luke and Sydney; mother-in-law Angela Stoio; sister-in-law Fran Stoio and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Johnson family extends a special thank-you to Dr. Blanca Valdovinos, Dr. Louis Papa, Emily Wegman, Kristen Trottier, and all the other healthcare providers who were a staple of Don’s life in recent years.

There will be no prior calling hours. On Friday, May 10th please meet the family at St. Rita’s Catholic Church (1008 Maple Dr., Webster, NY 14580) for the celebration of Don’s funeral mass at 10:30 am. Entombment is at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/donate/memorial-donations in Don’s memory.