Lt. Stephen P. “Moose” Johnson, WFD Ret., 71, of Worcester, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, while surrounded by his loving family.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife of forty-one years, Marguerite (Smith) Johnson; two sons, WFD Lt. Matthew R. Johnson and his wife Kelley of Holden, and Patrick S. Johnson and his wife Caitlin of Dennis; four grandchildren, Nathaniel, Finnegan, Lucas, and Kenley Johnson; a brother, Robert Johnson and his wife Patricia of Auburn; three brothers-in-law, Sean and Traci, Mike and Nancy, Paul and Cindy; four sisters-in-law, Karen Owen, Pamela and Bill, Annie Owen, and Lisa Smith. He was a loving Uncle and Great Uncle to an army of nieces and nephews, always ready to step in to provide guidance, light, fun, and love whenever needed. He was predeceased by his brother, Retired Worcester Fire Fighter Brian Johnson. Born into a family of firefighters, Stephen was a lifelong resident of Worcester, son of the late Worcester Fire Fighter Robert V. Johnson and Barbara (Halpin) Johnson.

Stephen joined the Worcester Fire Department in 1977. After short stints at E15 and L5, he was assigned to Engine 13 at South Division, then transferred to THE Rescue at Central Division from 1980 to 1988. Stephen worked on Aerial Scope 1 from 1988 until his promotion to Lieutenant in 2002 where he worked on E1 until the company was shut down, being sent to E15 to finish his career, where he was medically retired in 2008 after operating first due at a large fire on Cambridge Street. Proudly serving almost all of his career in Group 1 (Gods Group).

Steve was larger than life, lighting up a room with laughter, storytelling, and love. He lived a meaningful life and loved working for the Worcester Fire Department, but nothing compared to the love he had for his family, especially his four grandchildren, Lucas, Kenley, Nathaniel, Finnegan as well as being a Bonus Grandparent to Jojo and Evelyn; they were the sunshine in his life.

He loved to play golf with his lifelong friends and was a gifted woodworker, turning plain boards into works of art and even building a boat in his "Woodshop." He was also a devoted student of history, nearly encyclopedic on all things military and United States history.

Calling Hours will be on Friday, May 29, from 2 pm until 5 pm, with a Prayer Service at 4:30 pm in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WFD6K Fund, at the Worcester Firefighters Credit Union or https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MA/Worcester/WorcesterFirefighters6K