John Jacob Bach

John Jacob Bach, 93, of Stewartstown, died Tuesday, November 8, 2022. He was the husband of the late Margaret M. ''Peggy'' (Horn) Bach, to whom he was married 55 years. Born October 2, 1929 in the home of his parents, Jacob and Edna (Milewski) Bach in the small coal town of Atlas, PA. While attending Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, he blossomed into an outstanding football player as well as an exceptional student. Following his high school graduation, he was offered a full four-year scholarship to an Ivy League, the University of Pennsylvania, which he declined. Instead, being part of his strongly Catholic background, he accepted the same offer from Fordham University in New York City. Following his graduation from Fordham, he entered the U.S. Army and was sent to Korea where he eventually became the sergeant of a machine gun squad. In a skirmish with the enemy, he suffered a severe head wound. He survived and was awarded the Purple Heart. His survival inspired him to live a life of service to others. Upon his return to the States John married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Mary (Peggy) McDonald or nearby Centralia, PA. They remained happily married until her death on July 2, 2011. John began his career in education as a history teacher in the fledgling South Eastern School District of York County in 1955. After spending ten years as a teacher at Kennard-Dale High School he began to attend night school at Loyola College in Baltimore, MD where he earned his degree in school counseling. He maintained his counselor position for 25 years. He often maintained there was never a day he did not want to go to work. On the athletic side, he served several years as a football coach and several years as an athletic director. He also served as an official scorer for the basketball team and he helped to run track meets. Upon his retirement he ran for and was elected to the South Eastern School Board. He served for several terms and served as president of the Board for many of these years. He also served as the Board representative to the Lincoln Intermediate Unit. He was also on the Board of the local Stewartstown Historical Society. John was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, New Freedom and St. John's JEWELS Ministry. He was also a member of Stewartstown American Legion, Post 455 and Stewartstown V.F.W., Post 7046. John is survived by his three sons Joe Bach, Jake Bach, and Jerome Bach and his wife, Linda, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, his brother Matthew and his wife Denise, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Peggy, he was preceded in death by his youngest brother Father Francis Bach. There will be a viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2022 at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc.; 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, PA 17349. A funeral liturgy will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, with the Rev. Mark T. Wilke officiating. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist cemetery with full detail military honors provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. John the Baptist R.C.C., 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA 17349.