The man who helped put a Cincinnati chili institution on the map has passed away..
Johnny Johnson, the patriarch of the family that owns Camp Washington Chili, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 16. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday at the beginning of October.
“Today we lost a legend. Johnny Johnson passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family. He wore many hats in life: Husband, Dad, Pappou, Uncle, Nouno, Brother, Proud Veteran, Loyal Friend, Boss. This was his favorite hat to wear. Rest in peace, Johnny. Αιώνια του η μνήμη,” Camp Washington Chili shared on Facebook.
Johnson immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1951 and got a job working at Camp Washington Chili, which his uncle co-founded. Johnson took over the business in the ‘70s and later helped it earn Cincinnati’s only James Beard Award, an America’s Classics award.
Details for a funeral or celebration of Johnson’s life have not been announced as of this writing.
