'Mr. Madison' Gunnar Johnson Dies At 91

MADISON, CT — Dancing in the heavens now with wife Eileen, the man once described as "Mr. Madison," Gunnar Johnson, has died at age 91.

The well-known Madison resident and his wife, who died in 2013, owned and ran the Gunnar Johnson Select School of Dance for decades.

Known for his devotion to the town, according to the Madison Chamber of Commerce, he was a two-time chamber past president, and with his wife, chaired the chamber's Image Committee. Projects they were involved in included the town's clock, information kiosk, hanging flower baskets, planters, and its memorial benches.

The chamber also noted the Eileen Johnson Memorial Fountain in Tuxis Pond. Called Gunnar Johnson's "pet project," the chamber has established a fund to help maintain the "gem." For more information on how to donate, click here.

According to his obituary, he was an Army Korean War veteran who earned three Bronze Stars.

Johnson was the Chamber 2005 Citizen of the Year in 2005, won the Madison Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, was a two-time Madison Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award-winner and was named Elk of the Year by the Westbrook Elks.

His obituary notes that his graveside service will be private, but a memorial service is slated to be held this spring.

In a statement, the Madison Chamber wrote that while he'll be "missed by the grateful townspeople of Madison, but we are comforted in knowing that Eileen was surely waiting to share her next dance with him in heaven."