S. Hartley Johnston
S. Hartley Johnston, 81, of Pittsburgh passed away peacefully July 30 at UPMC Seneca Manor in Verona.
Hartley was born on Jan. 1, 1932, in Tarentum, Pa., the son of the late Hazel (Pierce) and Samuel Hartley Johnston.
Hartley was a 1949 graduate of Springdale High School.
After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and saw combat during the Korean War.
After being discharged, he attended Indiana State Teachers College, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education, and finally a doctorate in higher education administration from Penn State University.
A leader in the community college movement, Hartley was the founding president of Westmoreland County Community College. He also served in senior positions at Butler and Beaver county community colleges and at Anson Technical College in North Carolina. He retired from the Community College of Allegheny County in 1992, where he served as dean of instruction.
A lifelong musician, Hartley played string bass semiprofessionally, and he played a variety of brass instruments as well the guitar and banjo. He was one of the first members of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and he played in numerous amateur ensembles including the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Pittsburgh Savoyards and Tuesday Musical Club. In 1983, he was the founding president of the Allegheny Brass Band, leading the board and playing in the band for more than 25 years.
An avid amateur historian, Hartley served as president of the Allegheny Valley Historical Society, using his expertise to help preserve the rich history of the valley.
Hartley was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Patricia (Carr) Johnston, and by his second wife and high school sweetheart, Beatty Ann (Boswell) Premick-Johnston.
He is survived by his two sons, Eric Johnston of Nara, Japan, and Keith Johnston of Bridgeport, Conn., and three stepchildren, Jim, Robert and Pat Premick. He leaves behind his longtime companion, Maxine Potter, and cousins, nephews, friends and colleagues.
JOHNSTON — The family and friends of S. Hartley Johnston, who passed away Tuesday, July 30, will be received from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Redmond Funeral Home, 524 High St., Freeport. A Masonic Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home following the visitation with the members of the Pollock Lodge 502 officiating.Burial service with military honors will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery Natrona Heights.In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Allegheny Valley Historical Society, to the Allegheny Brass Band, or to the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony.To send a condolence, visit www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.
