Bahre, John H.
John “Jack” Howard Bahre, 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 26, 2022. Jack was born on June 21, 1952, in Hartford, CT, son of Henry J. Bahre and Sheila Doherty Bahre. He was a lifelong resident of Canton, CT and a graduate of Canton High School, Class of 1970. He graduated from the University of Hartford in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Jack was the eldest of five brothers and the biggest, earning the nickname “Claw” for his large hands, but was a gentle giant. At a young age, Jack began working at his parents' drive-up restaurant “The Polar Whip” in Canton where the pay was endless milkshakes.
In 1968, Jack and his brother Mark helped their father begin site construction on his development, Canton Village Shopping Center. Starting with one Chevrolet Dump Truck and a John Deere Backhoe, the brothers began expanding into residential and commercial construction projects throughout the area. In 1977, Canton Village Construction Company (CVC) was incorporated and eventually took on another partner with youngest brother, Daniel. The three brothers grew CVC into one of the premier site construction and sand & gravel companies in Northwest Connecticut with over 40 employees at its peak and 50 pieces of heavy equipment. Jack took immense pride in the business and especially the immaculate fleet of CAT Equipment, metallic blue MACK Trucks, and employees that he considered family. In the 1970's and early 1980's, Jack, his family, and friends fielded the #24 modified racecar of Bahre Racing Enterprises at Lebanon Valley, Orange County, and Syracuse Speedways, among others. They paired with many drivers including, Dave Pelczar, Butch Jelley, Ernie Marshall, and Eddie Delmolino. Jack fondly reminisced that his days spent racing were the best of his life.
In the early 1990's, when Canton had a lack of soccer fields, Jack volunteered his time, employees, and heavy equipment to create what are now the Memorial Fields on Powder Mill Road in conjunction with the Canton Youth Soccer Association and Collinsville Fire Department. Jack later went on to become the CYSA President for 10 years and with other volunteers created the first Canton High School night soccer games at Bowdoin Field.
Jack was an avid fisherman, hunter, and snowmobiler over his years. Countless snowmobile trips to Mount Greylock and Northern New England with his family and friends always ended with great stories to tell. Christmas was Jack's favorite time of the year and he took great pleasure in decorating the house and yard with thousands of lights. Recently, his three grandchildren had become his focus with Saturday Night Family Dinners and family vacations to Lake Winnipesaukee or the Rhode Island Shore. He loved being their “Papa”. Jack is survived by his wife of 43 years Robin Wilson Bahre, daughter Rebecca Anna Cleaveland and her husband Paul, son John Henry Bahre Sr. and wife Brigitte, his beloved grandchildren Nora Eliza Cleaveland, John Henry Bahre Jr., and Parker Katherine Bahre, all of Canton. He is also survived by his father Henry, his brothers Mark (Leslie), Matthew (Lanie), Robert (Karen), and Daniel (Lisa), his lifelong best friend and cousin Howard “Howie” Bahre III, countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Sheila and niece Jessica Wilson.
The family would like to thank Canton Memorial Ambulance, Dr. Bruce Chozick at St. Francis Hospital Neurosurgery, Judy, Robin, and Cathy at Hospital for Special Care, McLean Hospice, and health care aide Carlene for the excellent care these last few months. Friends may call at Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road in Avon on Tuesday, November 1st from 4:00-7:00 pm. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 2nd, beginning at 9:00am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at St. Patrick's Church, 7 Burlington Ave., Collinsville, CT 06019. Burial will be in the family plot at Dyer Cemetery, Canton. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jack's name to Canton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., C.V.F.C. P.O. Box 104, Canton, CT 06019, or Canton Memorial Ambulance, C.V.F.D., Inc. P.O. Box 281, Collinsville, CT 06019. For condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.