OCOEE, FL/MADISON, WI - John Paul Bass, of Ocoee Fl, passed away Sat, Feb 12, 2022, at the age of 75. John, originally from Madison WI, is survived by his wife of 56 years Barbara Ann (Voss), their four children: Todd (wife Tammi), Scott, Amy and Wendy, seven grandsons: Nolan, Corbin, Joseph, Gregory, Brendon, Bryce and Brock; two great-grandchildren: Alexander, and his first and only granddaughter, Mila; his brother-in-law Jerry Marble, niece Christilynn (Misti) Meyer of WI and his nieces and nephews from the Cuske family. Also surviving are Alice and Steve Drake, Bev and David Urben, their children, and his lifelong friends, Chuck and Donna Meinholz.

John was preceded in death by his parents David and Ruth (Wagner) Bass of Madison, WI, brother Eugene Cuske, sister Davilee Marble and his niece, Dachelle Marble.

John loved going back home to Madison; his alma mater was Edgewood High School. Following graduation he earned his Marketing Degree from Madison Area Technical College. Every visit back to Wisconsin included driving by his boyhood home on 827 South Brooks Street, picking up a box of chocolate donuts at Lane's Bakery, enjoying a "bar burger" and a Wisconsin fish fry. He loved to tell the story of his days as a paperboy, riding his bike down the hill at Vilas Park. He was a prolific wood carver, seeing things in a piece of wood and bringing them life. Following his father's footsteps, he was a phenomenal chef. He loved creating in the kitchen, working alongside his son Scott, making family meals. To our delight he also did the cleanup! He was loved by his family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. For over 10 years, he played the role of Santa with Barbara, as Mrs. Claus. The neighborhood children gathered with such excitement to tell Santa all their wishes. It was a magical, yearly tradition he looked forward to.

John retired as an Executive Director from multiple nonprofits, including American Cancer Society, Multiple Sclerosis, American Diabetes and Public Broadcasting (PBS). He continued to work as an accounts manager until the time of his death.

There was a service with family in Maitland, FL, on Wednesday, February 16, where his children gathered with the love of his life, Barbara, to celebrate the life and legacy he built. He was celebrated, as he always wanted, with the sounds of Bagpipes and When the Saints Go Marching In. He was and will always be Barbie's "Johnny Angel". Burial will be private at the Middleton Junction Cemetery, Middleton, WI at a later date.

The family can be reached c/o Barbara Bass at [email protected].

Memorials can be made to his favorite local animal shelter, where he was matched with his four-legged best friend, Shadow. Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, 2727 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839 at: https://petallianceorlando.org.

The family invites you to leave a message on the Tribute Wall created in his memory at https://www.degusipefuneralhome.com/obituaries/John-Bass-11/#!/Obituary.

DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory

1400 Matthews Paris Blvd.

Ocoee, FL 34761

407-295-2273

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Madison.com on Feb. 20, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Bass

Sponsored by DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - West Orange Chapel.

2 Entries

Penny Stokes

February 9, 2024

I often think of John and how much I miss him. He was a wonderful coworker,
but more then that a good friend. I really miss our talks. What a wonderful person he was and I will always remember him. May God Bless my friend John Bass.

Penny Stokes

February 21, 2022

"Please accept my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of John. I worked with him for 10 years at Triad Radio Pharma. He was my coffee break buddy and a dear and kind co-worker. After we both left Traid, we would call each other and talk about the good old days and what we both were doing in our lives. We shared fun times and bad times. He was a great listener and a great adviser. I Love and Miss him and I will never forget him. God Bless

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