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Johnson’s Plumbing and Heating is a family business

GOWANDA — Johnson’s Plumbing and Heating Inc. started in 1952 by two brothers, David and Norman Johnson. Norm passed away in 1970 and left Dave to carry on the business himself. Dave was married to Louise Huch Johnson and had five daughters, Rita, Dale, Deby, Diane and Mary.

Son-in-law Charles Koch started his career in the business in 1970 and he and his wife Dale, took over the business in 1985.

1990 led to an expansion in the business when a building was erected and Johnson’s Plumbing found its current home at 57 Commercial St. (formerly Gowanda Builders). The company continued to grow adding more services and customers. Today the company offers all HVAC services, all plumbing, hot water tanks, well pumps, generators, central air, drain line cleaning, septic pumping and glass block windows.

Dale and Charlie’s oldest daughter began working at Johnson’s approximately six years ago after the passing of her sister, Kourtney, whom was Dale’s office assistant. The family was just devastated by her passing. Laura knew what she needed to do for her parents. Laura, a stay-at-home mother of six, saw the importance of helping her parents and started working alongside them. Seeing Laura’s capability, Dale and Charlie knew the next step, making Laura the new owner of the business.

Laura officially took over the family business in December of 2019. Knowing that Laura’s main focus was being a mom, and an avid canner, her dad made adjustments to the office for Laura. He installed a full kitchen so she could can the vegetables that he and she grew in their gardens.

“This has been one of the most challenging, yet exciting things for me,” said Laura. “My plate is never empty!”

Laura is a life long member and volunteer of St. Joseph’s church, currently acting as their pro-life coordinator, past director at the Tri County Crisis Pregnancy Center and current board member, former little league coach, Chamber of Commerce member, Better Business Accredited, NFIB member and she holds a Bachelors of Science Degree.

“I am blessed to be able to follow in the foot steps of these great people and continue to grow and serve my hometown,” she said.

The business recently added septic services and glass block windows. Laura’s companion, Brian Taber, owns B&G Septic Service and has partnered with her with his septic business. The lead technician, Ben Farner, makes and installs glass block windows in addition to his expert knowledge in the HVAC field.

Laura’s daughter Allie Reid, is her office assistant, Dalton Geist and Ben’s son, Ben and Frank Kelly are also working for this growing company. If you were to stop in to the office, it would not be uncommon for you to be greeted by the company dog, Layla, or the children or grandchildren of Laura.

“Family is everything to me. Being able to have my children and grandchildren here, helping Ben with his little girl, makes this all worth it,” she said. Laura has six children of her own, Morgan, Allie, Charlie, Madeline, JJ, and Ava-Carmella, a bonus daughter, Gabrielle, two foster children, Serenity and Jackson, and seven grandchildren, Cassidy, Alie, Greg, Keyon, Gianna, Grace and Olivia.

To contact Johnson’s Heating and Plumbing, Inc. call 532-4376 or visit www.gowandaplumbingandheating.com.

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