John J. Bacharz

John J. Bacharz, 78, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Westborough, husband, father, and friend was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully on April 12, 2010 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center- University Campus in Worcester, MA. John died of complications from head injuries that he sustained from a fall on Easter Sunday 2010.

John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Therese M. (Marino) Bacharz; his sons, Michael J. Bacharz of NYC and Brian Bacharz of Denver, CO and his new granddaughter Laila.

John was born in and grew up in Holyoke, MA. He served his country in the U.S. Army and held the rank of Private First Class. He attended American International College in Springfield, MA where he earned a B.A. in Biology, and the University of New Hampshire in Durham NH where he received an M.S. in Microbiology. John pursued careers in the natural sciences and health care professions first working as a Research Microbiologist for the U.S. Army at the Natick Research Laboratory, then as a Healthcare Professional at the National Institute for Health in Bethesda MD. In 1973 John took a job as a Regional Program Consultant with the U.S. Government where he was responsible for planning, development, and implementation of government sponsored healthcare programs throughout New England. He retired from the U.S. Government in 2001.

John had many passions and hobbies but he was particularly passionate about alpine skiing and music. John patrolled the trails of Mt. Tom, Haystack, Carinthia, Mt. Snow, and Stratton as a 40 year member of the National Ski Patrol. He also sang with the Westborough Community Chorus for over 20 years and was a member of Saint Mary's Parish in Shrewsbury. Other hobbies included hiking, camping, reading and vacationing in Kennebunkport.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John's family on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 5-8 PM in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St, Shrewsbury. John's funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 10 AM in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main St. Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. Memorial donations can be made to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or to Saint Anne's Church Human Services, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. For directions and John's personal guestbook, please visit www.

brittonfuneralhomes.com