John Paul Bass

June 4, 1946 - February 12, 2022

John Paul Bass, of Ocoee FL, passed away Saturday, February 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 (wife Karina), Corbin, Joseph (wife Megan), Gregory, Brendon, Bryce and Brock, two great-grandchildren; Alexander and his first and only granddaughter, Mila. His brother-in-law Jerry Marble and niece Christilynn (Misti) Meyer of WI and his nieces and nephews from the Cuske family. Also surviving are Alice and Steve Drake, Beverly and David Urben and 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 Daville 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 Tech College. Every visit back to Wisconsin, he would drive by his boyhood home on 827 South Brooks Street, pick up a box of chocolate donuts at Lane’s Bakery and have “bar burger” and a Wisconsin fish fry. He loved to tell the story of his days as a paperboy and riding his bike down the hill at Vilas Park. He was a prolific wood carver. He saw things in a piece of wood and brought them to life. Following his father’s footsteps, he was also a phenomenal chef. He loved creating in the kitchen and working alongside his son Scott, making family meals. To our delight he also did the cleanup! He was so loved by his family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. For over 10 years, he would play the role of Santa with Barbara, as Mrs. Claus. The neighborhood children would gather every year with such excitement to tell Santa all their wishes. It was truly 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 up until his very last day, as an accounts manager. There will be a small service of family only, in Maitland, FL, on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, where his children are all together with the love of his life, Barbara, to celebrate the life and legacy he has built. He will be 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”. The family can be reached c/o Barbara Bass at [email protected] In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to his favorite local animal shelter, where he matched with his four-legged best friend, Shadow. Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, 2727 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839 at: http://PetAllianceOrlando.org The family of John P. Bass invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.