Obituary: Tony Johnson

Christopher Anthony Johnson (better known as Tony), of Johnson Bros. Tours, has passed away at the age of 77 following a battle with cancer.

Alongside brothers Harry and Barry, Tony helped establish Johnson Bros. – originally known as Dukeries Coaches – as one of the finest names in the coaching industry. Founded in 1954, the company began running coaches by the end of the decade with a 41-seater Bedford.

Over its 66-year history Johnson Bros. grew substantially with the acquisition of McEwen Coaches in the 1986 and Redfern Travel in 1999.

The business now owns around 160 vehicles across four depots, a well-maintained heritage fleet including tractors, trucks and motor bikes and its own paint and body shops.

Later in life, Tony and wife Sheila stepped back from the business though remained involved, living on-site at the company’s Hodthorpe depot. In his free time, Tony enjoyed horse and greyhound racing, holidaying at his caravan in Skegness and attending vehicle auctions. But his passion was collecting vintage tractors and attending events.

He is survived by Sheila, his sons/daughter Antony, Lee, Coleen and Scott as well as thirteen grandchildren, and will be sorely missed.

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