George E.Q. Johnson Jr. passes away

George “Gene” E.Q. Johnson Jr., 93, a prominent Chicago attorney, died March 23 at his home in Lakeside, Mich. He was the loving husband of Mary Ann (nee:Barry) Johnson, father of Charles E Johnson, stepfather of Philip W. Collins III and Tierney Eson, endearingly known as “Poppy” to the grandchildren whom he loved, Christopher Eson, Erin Collins, Michelle Eson and Mackenzie Collins. A native of Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, Gene attended Bryn Mawr Elementary School, University High School, Northwestern University, and Northwestern University Law School. A World War II Veteran, Gene served as a LT Commander in the US Navy. As commanding officer of the USS PC 1243, a “sub chaser,” and Executive Officer of the USS Courage, Gene served in the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Pacific, South and North China Seas. Upon returning from military service, Gene began his career as an attorney with his father, specializing in probate law. Having practiced law for well over fifty years, Gene became an authority on probate law and served as a special arbitrator for the Illinois Attorney General's Office into his 80's. He was a member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations. Gene was very active in church work and was a past chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bryn Mawr Community Church in Chicago. Gene was also a member of the Harbert Community Church. Being the son of the man who prosecuted Al Capone, Gene grew up often in the company of federal law enforcement officers assigned to protect his father and family. Later in life, Gene appeared in almost a dozen TV documentaries as attorney/historian dealing with Prohibition and the Al Capone era. Services will be held at 11:00 EDT on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at the Harbert Community Church, located on the corner of Three Oaks and Harbert Roads in Sawyer, Michigan. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery where the Randall Couchman American Legion Post 204, Three Oaks will present Military Honors. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harbert Community Church, PO Box 197, Harbert, Michigan 49115. To leave a tribute, please visit www.pobocik.com.