Louis "Lefty" Bauer Sr.

BAUER Louis "Lefty" Louis "Lefty" Bauer Sr., 96, of Rossford, died peacefully on March 12, 2009, after a sudden and brief illness surrounded by his family. Lefty was born on January 10, 1913 in Crystal City, Missouri to Joseph and Mary (Faikosh) Bauer. He has been a resident of Rossford since his early childhood and active in the community. He graduated from Rossford High School in 1932 and worked for L-O-F Glass Co. (Pilkington) for 42 years, retiring in 1974. As a young man he competed at the national level in gymnastics with the Rossford Sokol Club. He once competed in the old Madison Square Garden. He was a member of the Holy Cross Council 5139 of the Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree member of Bishop Hoffman Assembly 807. He was awarded the 1997 Member of the Year. He also received numerous attendance awards. He was a devout member of All Saints Catholic Church. For many years, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and visited the sick and elderly of the Parrish with his wife Alice. He also served as "alter boy" at daily mass. Up to the time of his recent illness he was fully capable to continue to safely drive his car and live independently. He participated in the Local 9 Glassworkers Retirees bowling league, and worked at a family owned carwash performing maintenance well into his 90's. He was an active member of the Rossford Senior Citizen Club and enjoyed attending their daily lunch with his friends. Just two days prior to his illness he had accompanied his friends on a gambling bus trip to Detroit. He also enjoyed going to Thursday night bingo, and attending or watching sporting events on television. Lefty turned down an opportunity to sing in a traveling band to marry the love of his life, Alice (Lehmann) on August 31, 1940. They shared 67 years of marriage until her death in October of 2007. Lefty will be remembered for the devoted and loving care he gave to Alice over the many years of her failing health. They had three children and they survive; Alice Clark of Arlington, TX, Diane (Paul) Miller of Charlotte, NC and son, Louis (Tricia) Bauer, Jr. of Perrysburg. Also surviving are grandchildren, Heather (Gerardo) Crispin, Mark (Susan) Miller, Matthew (Shelly) Miller, Amy (Tony) Walters, Michael Miller, Sarah Bauer, Christopher (Stephanie) Meyer and Andrew (Melissa) Meyer; great-grandchildren, Jacob Sullivan, Gabriela, Juan Carlos, and Gerardo Crispin, Nicholas and Katherine Miller and Alex, Kyle and Kevin Walters. Louie was also fortunate to be survived by many special nieces and nephews. His family and his friends describe Lefty as a kind and loving man with a great sense of humor. "A true gentleman." A man that was devoted to his wife and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also shared a special and close relationship with his son-in- law and daughter-in-law. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Teresa Bartosky, Emily Stockton, Mary VanCamp and Frances Skidas; brothers, Joseph, Jack, Nicholas, Paul, and 3 brothers in childhood, Frank, Ernie and Tony Bauer. Friends may visit at the Sujkowski Funeral Home of Rossford, 830 Lime City Rd. on Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. where the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 7 p.m., followed by a presentation by the Bishop Hoffman Fourth Degree Assembly and a reflection of Lefty's Life by family and friends. Visitation will continue on Monday at All Saints Catholic Church from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Kent Kaufman officiating. Interment will follow at New Belleville Ridge Joint Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions in Lefty's name be made to All Saints Catholic Church, 628 Lime City Rd., Rossford, OH 43460 or the charity of the donor's choice. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.sujkowskirossford.com