Christopher "Chris" Bernhard Johansson

Christopher Bernhard Johansson

April 20, 1971 - October 12, 2025

Chris grew up outside of San Diego, California. A fish out of water there, he migrated to the green trees and progressive politics of Massachusetts, where he studied at UMass Amherst and received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s Degree in Labor Studies in 1997. He met his people at UMass – those who shared his love of music, as well as those who shared his deep commitment to the labor movement. 

Chris’ long career fighting for workers through strategic corporate research began with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in San Francisco. He met his wife, Erin, in the building, where she worked for the United Farm Workers. They began dating Labor Day weekend on a picket line. After Chris and Erin married in 2002, they moved to Washington, DC, where Chris worked for the AFL-CIO. They later put roots down in Silver Spring, Maryland, where they had two sons, continued careers in the labor movement, and built a community of close friends. Chris went back to school in his forties to obtain a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Maryland. He applied his new skills with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. He loved teaching research skills and helped the union sharpen its strategies for confronting corporate greed. 

Chris will be remembered for his humor – both witty and goofy. He had a sharp mind and loved learning, debating, and sharing his endless opinions about music, history, and politics. He took his family on adventures across the country and around the world – always seeking to share his boundless curiosity. He traveled even when cancer made it difficult for him to walk. He was a loving and deeply loyal husband, father, and friend and will be greatly missed. Chris is predeceased by his mother, Letty, and father, Clifford, and leaves behind his wife, Erin, and sons, Gavin and Quinn.    

In lieu of flowers, Chris’ family invites people to honor his legacy of fighting for strong unions by donating to Jobs With Justice: 

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/chrismemorial

Chris’ family and friends also compiled a playlist of his favorite artists: 

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL45Zvw1Bdut8SnKVwAqKJoLgeq0GOx0Wy&si=LXBtRL1MFuOuCi2T

Here is a pdf of the liner notes with the playlist:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WH_ZDNHhwWBrnTJCrnUyOv3iCPhVv9gK/view?usp=drive_link