Final Salute

John Bower, 82 of Cayuga passed away on September 17th at the VA Medical Center. John was born July 1, 1944, in Auburn, NY and was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Camillus, NY. On the farm John learned the value of hard work and developed the incredible physical strength that would become almost legendary among those who knew him.

As a young man, John was a freak of nature when it came to strength. He could do more than 100 push-ups and true one-handed pull-ups. That natural strength, combined with determination and an unmatched work ethic, helped make John one of the best wrestlers to come out of Section III. He won the Section III championship all four years at West Genesee high school, during an era when New York did not yet hold the state wrestling championships that exist today.

John continued wrestling at Paul Smith’s College alongside his brother Bill in addition to several of their former high school teammates. His accomplishments on the mat were later recognized when he was inducted into the college’s Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1984.

After two years at Paul Smith’s his brother Bill continued his education at Temple University, John chose a different path. He enlisted in the United States Navy Seabees and served two tours in Vietnam from 1966 through 1969. After returning home from Vietnam, John married his first wife, Barbara, and in 1969 they welcomed their son, David. John then returned to his farming roots, working the family farm alongside his brother.

As farming became increasingly difficult to sustain financially, John began working construction for Solvay Iron Works. His work ethic and mechanical abilities eventually led him to start his first business, AVF Contractors. After AVF, John worked for several HVAC and mechanical contractors, building a long career in the mechanical trades.

John and his brothers also became known for putting on the now-notorious Bower’s Pig Roast. The gatherings may not always have been appreciated quite as much by the neighbors as they were by the partygoers. For those who attended, the Pig Roast became the stuff of local legend. The last one was held more than 45 years ago, yet stories about the Bower’s Pig Roast have continued to be told and passed along ever since. It became part of the Bower family legacy and a memory shared by an entire generation. As someone recently summed it up on social media: “If you were there, then you know.”

In 1983, John met his second wife, Diana, and he became an important part of the lives of her three children, Mark, Shane and Kristina Ashby. Over the many years that followed, John shared a close and loving relationship with each of them, and together they became an important part of the larger family that surrounded him. Following Diana’s passing in 2016, those relationships remained especially meaningful and continued for the rest of John’s life.

The family camp on Cayuga Lake became a focal point for John and his family. A place where everyone could gather, spend time together and create memories. It was much more than a camp; it became one of the places that connected the family through the years.

When John’s first grandchildren were born, he became “Grandpa John,” a name that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Over time, Grandpa John became more than a family nickname. Even people who weren’t related to him came to know and affectionately call him Grandpa John. To his longtime friends and colleagues, however, he was simply “JB.” Whether someone knew him as John, JB or Grandpa John, each name represented a different part of a life that touched generations of family and friends.

John was also a devoted New York Yankees fan. Watching the Yankees was almost a ritual, and one he especially enjoyed sharing with his son-in-law, Darrin. The two watched the games religiously together, sharing countless innings, conversations, and moments along the way. It was one of those simple traditions that became something much more meaningful.

John semi-retired at age 65, although retirement never really suited him. He started JB Services and continued providing mechanical pipefitting services to his clients for another ten years. Even after stepping away from full-time work, John never stopped working entirely. He remained involved with both of his sons’ businesses, lending his experience, knowledge and, when needed, his hands to help them right up until the end.

After John retired, he and Diana began their transition into life as snowbirds. They became seasonal residents at Indian Mound Fish Camp, where they spent their winters living in their RV. What began as a place to escape the northern winters quickly became much more. John and Diana were welcomed into a close-knit community of friends who grew to love them like family, giving them another home and another extended family to look forward to each year.

It was also at Indian Mound that John developed a passion for shrimping. And when it was finally time to

head north for the season, he rarely came back empty-handed. Family and friends back home became the happy beneficiaries of the hoards of shrimp John would haul north with him. a tradition that became another part of the stories and memories surrounding JB.

Two years ago, John was diagnosed with cancer. He faced the disease much the same way he had faced challenges throughout his life with toughness and determination. He underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation treatments in an effort to keep the cancer at bay and give himself more time with his family. He was supported and surrounded by his family.

John was predeceased by his mother, Jane Bower; his father, Tillman Bower; his brother, Ray Bower; his

beloved wife, Diana Bower; and his son, Mark Ashby.

He is survived by his son David and wife Erin Bower; his son Shane Ashby and husband Darrin Schwartz; his daughter Kristina Ashby and husband Anand Sridhar; and his brothers, Grant Bower and William Bower. John also leaves behind his grandchildren, Devin Bower, Azaria Bower, Jesse Bower, Nathan Waldbillig, Andrew Waldbillig, Collin Ashby and Indira Anand; and six great-grandchildren, Grayson Miles, Logan Waldbillig, Aceyn Waldbillig, Myles Waldbillig, Millie Waldbillig and Ryder Ashby. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were an important part of the family that grew around him throughout his life.

One example of the memories John leaves behind comes from two of his great-grandchildren. With fond memories of “Grandpa John” and “Uncle Marky,” they recently named two of their chickens JB and Marky in their honor; a simple and heartfelt tribute that would surely have brought a smile to Grandpa John’s face.

John lived a life defined by hard work, physical and personal strength, independence, family and an unwillingness to simply sit still. From growing up on a dairy farm, to championship wrestling, serving his country in Vietnam, building businesses, working in the mechanical trades and helping his children with their own businesses, John spent his life working, building, helping and providing. Somewhere in between, he and his brothers also managed to throw a few parties that people are apparently still talking about more than four decades later.

Those who knew John will remember many things about him, but perhaps most of all, they will remember his strength. The physical strength of his younger years may have been legendary, but the strength that truly defined John was the way he lived his entire life; working hard, taking care of his family, facing adversity head-on and continuing to push forward, right up until the end.

To some he was John. To his friends he was JB. And to generations of family and many others who came to love him, he will always be Grandpa John.

Calling hours will be held on October 17th from 1 to 3 pm B. L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St., Camillus. Private services will be held.

Please sign his guestbook at www.BLBUSH.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.