Longtime Niagara Wheatfield tennis coach Art Johnson passes

Arthur William Johnson

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Arthur William Johnson, 83, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away April 10, 2026, following a long illness. He was a dear husband, brother, uncle, father and friend. Prior to moving to Florida, Arthur served as a business teacher and coach at Niagara Wheatfield High School. His impact on youth sports in the Buffalo area was celebrated. His loss will be felt deeply.

Art, or Arty to his friends, was a proud U.S. Army veteran and a dedicated educator at Niagara Wheatfield High School. He coached boys and girls tennis and volleyball, and boys basketball. He was an accomplished tennis coach and USPTA tennis professional, whose summer tennis camps were always popular.

Eighty-four years well lived – thank you for your kindness and compassion.

JoAnn and Arty.

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Arthur is survived by his wife, JoAnn (Malaney) Johnson; by his son, Joseph Johnson (Ann Marie Dockstader Johnson); by his daughter, Jillian Johnson Shaner (Michael); by his grandchildren, Zachary, Andrew, Katie and Marcus; and by his great-granddaughter, Everly. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Johnson; by his sisters, Betty (Johnson) Roeder and Joanne (Johnson) Vivinetto; and by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends from all over the U.S. He was predeceased by his brothers, Tommy Johnson and John Johnson, and by his sister, Laurie (Johnson) Leibowitz.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, at St. Helen Catholic Church, located at 2000 20th St., Vero Beach. Military honors will be conducted.

A celebration of life will follow in New York over the summer.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home of Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.

In lieu of flowers, there is a GoFundMe site to help offset the costs of funeral and final life care. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-arthur-johnsons-funeral-costs. The financial strain of 24/7 nursing care, a long hospitalization, and funeral expenses have impacted Arthur’s family. All funds raised will go directly toward these expenses, helping to ease the burden on his loved ones as they grieve and honor his memory.