Monsignor Charles B. Johnson, 78, of St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield entered eternal rest Thursday (September 22, 2011) at St. Francis Hospital. He was born in Manchester, the son of the late Charles H. and Rosalie (Riordan) Johnson. Monsignor Johnson attended St. James Parochial School, Manchester, St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Basselin Foundation, Washington, D.C., and Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1960, by the Most Reverend Henry J. O'Brien, Archbishop of Hartford. Monsignor began his service as an assistant at St. Pius X in Wolcott, St. Patrick in Collinsville, and St. Brendan in New Haven from 1960-1963. He continued at St. Thomas Seminary where he was appointed as an Instructor, Vice Rector, Rector, Minister of Confirmation, and finally Administrator from 1963-1985. In June of 1986, Monsignor Johnson was appointed as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. On February 1, 1991, he was appointed Vicar for Priests, and served three terms. In 1993, he was appointed Temporary Administrator at St. John the Evangelist in West Hartford. Monsignor Johnson was appointed a Prelate of Honor in 1995. In the following years, he was Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, South Windsor, and Administrator and Pastor of Resurrection Parish in Wallingford. Monsignor Johnson retired in 2007 with the title Pastor Emeritus of Resurrection Parish in Wallingford. On September 1, 2010, he came out of retirement to serve as Director of the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Hartford, a position he held until his death. He is survived by his cousins Mary Spellman of Norwich, Kevin Riordan of Simsbury, Ellen Leeney of Morris Plains, NJ, Catherine McDougall of Wakefield, RI and several other loving cousins. Monsignor Johnson's body will lie in state at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield on Sunday, September 25th, from 4-7 pm. On Monday, September 26th, The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, will be the principal celebrant for the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Manchester has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.