Obituary of John Baska

John Wilson Baska, 92, Brigadier General, USAF – Retired, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2009. He leaves his legacy to his children Karen A. McMahon, John K. Baska, Peter M. Baska, David F. Baska, Douglas T. Baska - and their spouses; and to his brother James Baska. He also leaves his legacy to his grand children and great-grand children and everyone he touched in this life. Departing before John were his son Patrick M. Baska; his wife of 58 years Edna M. Baska; his grandson John W. Baska; and his wife Carolyn Payne-Baska. John was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He obtained a degree in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University and his pilot’s license from the Civilian Pilot Training Corps. He entered military service to pursue his dreams of serving his country and flying airplanes. Serving as a Command Pilot in the China-Burma-India campaign, John met and married Edna Benke, an Army Nurse, in Calcutta, India in 1944. After World War II, John and Edna embarked on the challenging endeavor of raising six children. John continued his career as an officer in the Air Force – a career that spanned 30 years and many continents. John led his life with intention and he reached for the stars. His ambition was excellence, his passion was people. John was a devout Catholic and a long time member of Church of Our Saviour in Cocoa Beach, where a Funeral Mass will be held at noon on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Interment will be in the Memorial Garden at the Church of Our Saviour. In lieu of flowers contributions to his memory can be made to Hospice of St. Francis – Titusville, Florida. John W. Baska’s legacy is his humanity.