Jack James Bawden

Jack James Bawden of Gates, NY passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023 at the age of 92.

Jack was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to John and Ethel Bawden, growing up with his "MUCH" younger brother Bruce, and grandparents close enough to "run away from home to." He was active in sports (football, water polo, curling), attended McMaster University, and graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Jack met his late wife, Joan at Milford Manor in Muskoka; they wed in 1955 in Hamilton while he was a student, and were married for 60 years.

A job opportunity took them to Chicago, Illinois in 1961, and 2 years later to Batavia, New York.  Jack worked most of his career for Graham Manufacturing where he made several lifelong friends. Jack and Joan raised their family in Oakfield, NY where he was active in Boy Scouts, Lions Club, the Presbyterian Church, and the school board, and instilled a love of family lake vacations in their children.

In 1983, it was time to downsize so they built a condo in Gates, New York where they spent the rest of their working years and retirement. They traveled extensively, doing genealogy research in Canada and England (discovering some cousins nearby who became close friends). They took many Canal Society trips in the US and Europe, went to Jekyll Island, Georgia every spring with their dear friends, and attended every possible family function from Olean to Hong Kong and everywhere in between. At home in Gates, Jack was active until he was 90 as an usher at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and weekly curling at the Rochester Curling Club. He played bridge with friends, was famous in the family for "grampa pancakes", and was always up for a game of cards.  His companion in the last few years was his radio, always playing jazz or classical music. Jack loved music and curling and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan, but more than anything, he loved his family.  No distance was too far to be together, and it seems to have rubbed off on his children because they still talk almost daily and love to be with each other. 

Jack was predeceased by his devoted wife of 60 years, Joan (Foley) and son, Christopher John Bawden.

Jack is survived by his loving children Shelley (Hank) Earle, Linda (John) Stephenson, Nancy (Ray) Paul, Kimberly Geiger Bawden; beloved grandchildren Andrew (Claire), Jenna, Matthew (Jen), Heather (Sean), Sarah (Zachary), Daniel, Courtney, Benjamin (Raechelle), Caroline, Cal, Samuel and great-grandchildren Joshua, Adam, Alice, Joseph, baby Jack; dear brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Carol Bawden; and many loved extended family members and friends in the US, Canada and England.

There will be no visitation. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Kindly consider a donation to either organization in memory of Jack

Rochester Curling Club, 71 Deep Rock Rd, Rochester NY 14624

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 255 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14604

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