James L. Baish Sr.

1927 - 03

James Louis Baish Sr., 86, formerly of New Kensington, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. He was born March 9, 1927, in New Kensington, to the late Charles J. and Mary (Cowen) Baish, was a graduate of New Kensington High School and later graduated from the Paul Wolfe School of Photography in Butler. James proudly served his country during World War II with the Merchant Marines, where he served in the engine room of his ship as a fireman and water tender. He also served as an airman first class in the Air Force as a top secret photographer during the Korean War for four years. After his discharge from the service, he was employed by ALCOA Research as a photographer for 31 years, retiring from there and moving to Florida for 19 years, returning to Pennsylvania in 2006. He also did freelance photography work all the while and lived at Elmcroft in Saxonburg, where he enjoyed playing his organ for all the residents. Surviving is his son, James Louis (Debbie) Baish Jr., of Rockville, Md.; daughter, Deborah Lynn (Andrew) Palyarik, of Springdale; and two grandsons, Alexander and Courtland Baish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Frances Henry Baish, who died Feb. 27, 2009; and a brother, Charles Joseph Baish Jr. Viewing will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Dean Ward, pastor at The River Community Church in New Kensington, officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell. To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.rossgwalker.com.