John W. “Jack” Baccanti, 89, of Butler, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 12, 2026, surrounded by all his girls. Born at home on February 6, 1937, in East Brady, Jack was the son of the late John A. and Dorothy M. (Kofmehl) Baccanti. His family moved to Chicora where his parents owned/operated the Central Hotel and K & R Bar.
Growing up, Jack enjoyed sports, fishing, collecting comic books and trading cards, and reading. He attended school in Chicora until his senior year when he transferred to Karns City. He remained active with the class of ‘55 throughout the years, often involved with planning class reunions. In his youth, he developed a life-long friendship with Denny Gaiser that continued up until his passing.
Jack then attended Grove City College where he earned his degree in Mathematics. Upon graduating from Grove City in 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed at Fort Irwin in Southern California and served as a payroll accountant. It was during this time that he developed his love for golf.
After completing his enlistment, Jack returned to western PA where he worked in computer programming and banking over the span of 39 years before ultimately finishing out his professional career at Armco Steel from 1978 – 2000.
He was participating in a weekly bowling league with his future father-in-law, Frank (Mildred) Large, who set him up on a blind date with the love of his life, Linda Louise, in November 1967. Their first date was a Pittsburgh Penguins game. By March 1968, Jack and Linda were engaged then married on July 20.
Jack and Linda raised three daughters together. Jack’s girls feel that he was hand-picked by God to be a “girl dad”. They remember evenings spent with him reading their favorite books at bedtime, weekends spent fishing, family hugs and car “sing-a-longs”, as well as summers spent on the ballfield and at Conneaut Lake with his parents and his sister’s family. Jack’s family also enjoyed annual summer trips to Myrtle Beach and Saturday morning breakfasts with the Cooper family.
Jack’s love language was “acts of service”. When the family moved to Butler, he started the Bon Aire Girls’ Softball League which existed from1980-1985. Dozens of girls benefited from this endeavor, many of whom still remember Mr. Baccanti as one of the kindest men they have ever met. Jack was also an active member of the Butler Basketball Boosters Club and served as an officer. A dedicated donor for the Red Cross, Jack helped to coordinate blood drives at his church, Trinity Lutheran. Jack bowled in a duckpin league for more than 40 years, where he coordinated the league including its annual banquet.
His greatest joy was being a grandfather to Emma, Maddy, and Sophie. He loved his cuddle sessions, movie dates, and spa days with Grandpap’s Playlists. They brought out the best of his wit and charm. He was their favorite person.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Linda; his daughters and their spouses, Dana (Dave) Barone, Kristin Dupe (Sean McComas), and Julie Baccanti; his granddaughters, Emma Dupe (Austin Rodgers), Maddy (Cole) Hess, and Sophie Dupe (Lucas Shook); his bonus daughters, Rebeca and Christina Beltran; his bonus grandchildren, Emma and Zoey McComas; his dear sister, Dorothy Ann Galante, and a number of adored nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his cherished parents and his beloved brother-in-law, Virgil “Vic” Galante.
The family wishes to thank the Butler VA Center, his caregiver, Norma, and his hospice nurse, Sarah, from Allegheny Health Network for their care and compassion during the last several months. They made this journey much lighter and more bearable for the family.
All arrangements were made through SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Butler, PA 16001. Family and friends will be received beginning at 10:30 AM prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jack’s memory be made to the American Red Cross Donate Now – Online Donations | American Red Cross, Special Olympics Donate | Special Olympics, or Butler Humane Society Make a Donation — Butler County Humane Society.