The life and legacy of Philip W. Johnston were celebrated at a memorial service Sunday at University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Johnston was the chair of the state’s democratic party from 2000 to 2007. Before that, he represented the fourth and tenth Plymouth Districts in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and served as the state’s Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Michael Dukakis.
Numerous people throughout Johnston’s life gathered to pay tribute.
Like Senator Ed Markey, who served with Johnston in the state legislature.
Ruthanne Wineburg, is a longtime friend and neighbor of Phil and his wife Beverly Johnston.
Jim Cantwell, who represented the fourth Plymouth District from 2009 to 2018 and now works as Senior Advisor and State Director for Senator Ed Markey, offers thoughts.
Johnston’s family has requested that any donations made in his memory be sent to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Services, a nonprofit that provides support to the state’s 50 community health centers.
