Joseph Bado Jr., 83, Avid Sports Fan

He was born February 11, 1922 in Amherst where he was raised and graduated from the former Central High School with the class of 1941. He has been a lifelong resident of the Amherst and Lorain area.

He served in the US Army for two years in the Engineering Corp and two years in the Merchant Marines overseas during World War II. He worked aboard the ship Ernest T. Wier on the Great Lakes for two years as an engineer. Joseph was employed at U.S. Steel in Lorain for forty years, retiring in 1985 as an electrician and wireman. After retirement, he was employed by the Amherst School System in the Maintenance department. He also served as bartender at German’s Villa in Vermilion and was a booth worker for the Lorain County Board of Elections. He volunteered at the Lorain County Beagle Club and was a fifteen-year Bingo volunteer at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Lorain. He was a sixty-year member of ST. Nicholas Church; was a lifetime member of the Amherst Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1662 and the Disabled American Veterans.

He was an avid sports fan; Amherst football, basketball and baseball fan; and enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Helen Bado (nee: Sirak); his daughters, Judy Davis of Lorain and Sharon Dykes of Texas; his granddaughter Stacy Findish of Amherst; his brother Elmer Bado of Amherst and his sister Ann Sheller of Amherst.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose Bado (nee: Keressi).

Friends may call Friday, March 18, 2005 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst where Parastas Service will be held at 5 p.m. Closing prayers will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 a.m. from St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 2711 West 40th Street, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. Nick Ratchford, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family suggests memorials contributions be made to St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 2711 West 40th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44053.