BELFAST — Joseph Maurice "Joe" Johnson, 93, of Belfast, passed away April 20, 2015. He was born in St. Albans on Feb. 24, 1922, one of seven children, to Methyl (Parkman) Johnson and Merle E. Johnson.

He attended Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston and was a member of the track team. He graduated in Automotive Technology from Greer College in Chicago, Ill., in 1940. He married Lois Patten of Charleston on Sept. 23, 1940.

During World War II, Joe served as an engineman in the U.S. Navy on the submarine S.S. Spot stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He made three combat patrols in enemy waters.

After his discharge from the Navy, he and his wife, Lois, of 70 years, opened Johnson's Auto Body Works on Route 137 in Belfast. They operated the business for more than 61 years with auto sales and repair for customers all over Maine.

Joe was a lifetime member of the Belfast Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies of Bangor, Anah Shrine Temple of Bangor and the Waldo County Shrine Club in Belfast, and an associate member of the Eastern Star.

Joseph had many interests including racing two stock cars at Unity Raceway, boating and lobstering part-time on Penobscot Bay, flying his Piper Cub airplane in the early 1950s, camping trips with their many friends, dancing and traveling to Florida, California, Mexico, Canada and Bermuda.

Joe was predeceased by three sisters, Evelyn Candage of Massachusetts, Marie Backus of Vermont and Thirma Blethen of Maine; and two brothers, Lewis of New Hampshire, and Everett of Connecticut.

He is survived by his daughter, Janett Sims of Iva, S.C., and his son, Joseph Merle of Lincolnton, N.C., one brother, Arnold of The Villages, Fla., four grandchildren, Stephen Sims of Norman, Okla., Shelley Belouski of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Scott Johnson of Virginia and Donald Johnson of Lincolnton, N.C.; five great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Anah Shrine Temple, 586 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401.