John Bernard Bauman I

John Bernard Bauman I, 77, of Duryea, passed into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, while in the care of ICU at Regional Hospital, Scranton.

He was the son of the late Andrew I and Olga Piekara Bauman.

John was a graduate of Duryea High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he went to work at the Tobyhanna Army Depot where he accomplished a great career, achieving numerous awards for his excellence in his field. He also traveled the world using his expertise in worldwide communications, always having the people on the field or on the ships set up with the best communication possible.

After 39 years at Tobyhanna he retired and the very next day went to work at Systek Technologies Inc. in New Jersey, where he held a field office at Tobyhanna, and continued working on the same projects with several titles. The past few years John worked part time from home for Systek. He loved his work and was excellent at it. He will be greatly missed in his work environment. John was also in the Army Reserves for several years.

John was there from the start of the Duryea Wildcats youth football organization. He was a football coach for 27 years and loved all those kids. He was a member of the VFW Post 1227, Duryea, and the American Legion Post 585, Duryea. John was also a former member of the Ambulance Association and Germania Hose Company, Duryea, and was a member of its hilarious marching band for many years.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna and Constance Bauman; his nephew, Andrew Bauman III; and father-in-law, Charles Rydzy; and mother-in-law, Betty Rydzy.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 27 years, Betty Ann Rydzy Bauman. He was so proud of all his children and grandchildren. Surviving are children, John B. Bauman II, Duryea; Andrea Carper and husband, Bryan, Virginia; Syd Bauman, Avoca; and Jeffrey Bauman and wife, Amanda, Duryea; stepchildren; Tara Hoover and husband, Jeff; and Ashley Swartwood; 14 grandchildren, Devon Giuliano; Cody, Tyler and Alexander Bauman; Elizabeth Williams; Austin, Arrea and Mason Swartwood; Isabella Bauman; Jeffrey Hoover; Rebekah, Jacob and Aaron Carper; and Gemma Bauman. All were loved and adored. And his dog child, Shivers. Also surviving are his brother, Andrew Bauman II; niece, Bonnie Poklemba; and nephew, Mark Bauman; mother-in-law, Carolyn Wielozyk; and many great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

We would like to thank the hard-working, excellent team of doctors and nurses and others who helped with John's care. God bless you all!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. Or to a veteran organization of the donor's choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Nativity Of Our Lord Parish Church, 127 Stephenson St., Duryea, with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Friends may call for visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church Monday morning; there will be no procession from the funeral home. AMVETS honor guard of Greater Pittston will provide military honors. Interment will take place at a later date.

Condolences may be made at www.kiesingerfuneralservices.com.