Deacon John G. Bash

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Deacon John G. Bash

July 9, 1934 ~ September 6, 2024

Deacon John Gordon Bash died Sept. 6, 2024 at Saint Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City in the company of his wife, Ileana. In the weeks prior to his death he received the Eucharist almost daily; he also received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Deacon Bash was born July 9, 1934 to Bessie Gordon and Vincent Clarence Bash in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, he attended Regis College in Denver, Colorado for a year, then the University of Utah for another year. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1956.

In 1988 he married his wife, Ileana, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

He was ordained a deacon on Jan. 24, 2004 and ministered at Saint Ambrose Parish in Salt Lake City from that date until his retirement a few years ago. He also spent many years ministering to the homeless men at Saint Mary’s Home; this ministry began even before he was ordained.

Deacon Bash was predeceased by his parents and four of his six siblings. He is survived by his wife, Ileana; children from a prior marriage, Michael, Suzanne and Anthony; several grandchildren; his 95-year-old sister Jeanne and younger brother Richard; and numerous cousins.

A viewing and rosary will be held Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at Neil O’Donnell Funeral Home, 372 East 100 South, Salt Lake City at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 2315 E. Redondo Ave., Salt Lake City.