John R. Bacher

John “Johnny” Robert Bacher, 75, died peacefully at his home in Ambridge, PA on October 19,2022, predeceased by his parents Evangeline Marie and Ernest Robert Bacher and older sister Diane Marie Bacher. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Anne Bacher, his 2 daughters Melissa Marie Miller and Elizabeth Anne Kester, 2 stepsons Bradley and Ruchell Hack, as well as former spouse Patricia Bernard Imrie. John was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Sarah and Curtis Heath, Ellen and Jack Kester, Kyle, Kasey and Adria Miller and Isis Hack.

He was born in Denver CO and grew up in the family’s greenhouses, restaurant, and Hereford cattle ranch. Although he lived most of his later years in the Eastern United States, he never lost his affinity and love for the mountains and the natural aromas of the West. He raised a blue ribbon bull when he was 12 and never met a large animal or dog without becoming immediate best friends.

He spent his high school years in Vermont and then landed in Sacramento CA when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart and raised his young family in the Sacramento area. Over the years since, John also called northern Virginia and West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania home. John enjoyed many of the early years after his Air Force combat service (Vietnam) sailing and fishing on Folsom Lake in CA with his girls and Patty. He was a singer, songwriter, actor, accomplished accordion player and composer, acoustic guitar player, piano dabbler, and poet.

John could be considered the original masterchef. His kitchen equipment could easily support a gourmet restaurant. Those lucky enough to have been fed by him know that his BBQ sauce was incredible and will likely never be replicated, as his recipe tinkering was endless. Although he graduated high school only after enlisting and obtaining a GED, he went on to receive an Associate (American River College) and Bachelor and master's degrees (Cal State Sacramento) in various areas of communication and a Master of Arts in Counseling (Marriage and Family) from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. John had a diverse career path, but he was most proud of his appointment by Gov. Jerry Brown to the California State 911 Commission as a national spokesman for federal EMS services. His final career was as a counselor to the toughest of cases: burned out missionaries and their families and court-appointed juveniles

(Both victims and perpetrators). He always had a heart for serving the hurting. In a recent interview, he was asked what he hoped that others had learned from him. He responded, “That love is all there is and to remember that the Lord said, ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments’”. He added that he would like to be remembered “as a kind, loving Christian man”.Faith was always a central part of John’s life. From serving as an altar boy as a youth to serving on missions’ trips to Ukraine and Indonesia and Thailand to serving on the parish Council in his last years, he came to consider his faith increasingly as a lifestyle, even more powerful as a spiritual discipline than as the genesis of outward acts. It is his faith that is the greatest comfort to those he leaves behind.

For those in western Pennsylvania:

Viewing of the body (3-7pm) and an Orthodox Christian Parastas service (6pm) will be held at Saul-Gabauer Funeral Home (Sylvania Hills) in Rochester PA on Monday, October 24. An Orthodox Christian funeral service will be held at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Ambridge PA starting at 10am on Tuesday, October 25, followed by a luncheon at the parish hall.

For those in New England:

A celebration of life gathering will be held at Introvigne Funeral Home in Stafford Springs, CT from 10:30-11:30am on Friday, October 28 followed by a procession to Stafford Springs Cemetery and military honors at the graveside at noon.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers: https://t2t.org/don