Obituary of John F. Bashaw

John F. Bashaw On November 12, 2021, John F. Bashaw, passed away peacefully at Alice Hyde Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. In his last days, John was surrounded by his friends and family. He was 77 years old. John was born on November 6, 1944, to Herbert and Rita Bashaw (Beane). He was raised on the family farm in Fort Covington Center. In 1947, John lost his arm in a farming accident at only three years old. Little did he know at the time, that this accident would come to define him and his extraordinary abilities. He learned from a very young age to overcome all of the obstacles in his life with perseverance and determination. John’s love of farming was rooted deep within his soul. He worked on many farms as a young man and still loved to do field work whenever he had the chance. Some of his happiest times were raking hay on a tractor. John went on to be a self-employed carpenter, a trade he learned from his father while growing up. In the 1980’s he went to work for Leroux Oil, where he learned to repair furnaces and became a jack of all trades. In the mid-1990’s, he started his own plumbing and heating business with his son. He operated this business until last year, although he would still work whenever any of his old customers would call him, day or night, right up until his death. He had a true passion for serving people. John was a member of the Fort Covington Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years. He also served as a Town Councilman for close to 15 years. John lived a life of service to the community of Fort Covington. John was married to Lorraine M. Deschambeault in July of 1971. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2011. John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Angela Bashaw of Fort Covington, and two grandchildren, Kayla (Bashaw) and her husband, Justin Jackson of North Dakota and Hunter Bashaw of San Diego, California and one great-grandchild, Oliver Jackson of North Dakota. John is also survived by his brothers, Herbert Bashaw Jr. of Fort Covington and Robert Bashaw of Geneseo, NY and sister Janice and her husband Walter Premo of Fort Covington. John also had many nieces and nephews that he absolutely cherished. John was predeceased by his parents, Herbert Sr. and Rita Bashaw, his brothers, Alden and Francis Bashaw, his sisters, Elaine Anderson, Theresa Drew, Dorothy Trombley, and Beverly Tremblay. John’s final wishes were to be buried next summer when his grandchildren come home. A service will be announced at a later date. Donations in memory of John may be made to the Fort Covington Volunteer Fire Department or to Fort Covington EMS. On line condolences may be left for the family at www.brusofuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Cappiello-McKenzie & Cosgrove Funeral Home in Fort Covington, N.Y.