Obituary of Joseph J. Baier

Joseph J. Baier Jr., "Coach" of Rush: Died Friday June 16, 2017 at age 95. He was born in Rochester, NY October 2, 1921. Joe was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Virginia "Ginny" and his brother Gordon Baier. He is survived by his loving daughters, Holly Baier Simon and Stacy Jo Baier; his son in laws, Robert Simon and Darcy Chakma; niece Pamela (Dick) Norlander; grandnieces and nephew, Brenna King, Patrick King and Erina King. Joe was a West High graduate and a member of the Young Leaders Group that traveled to Washington, D.C. In high school, Joe played and received awards in football, track and field and wrestling - "Rome had Nero, we had Joe hour football hero" (West High yearbook). Joe earned his BA in Physical Education from Perdue, where he wrestled and was on the football team and earned his Master's in Teaching from SUNY Brockport. He was a mason in high school, was in the West High sports fraternity and also the Rush-Henrietta Teachers Association. Joe and Virginia had many friendships over their 63 years of marriage. Friendships that spanned years, back to dad's childhood days on Krone Street, and mom's U of R nursing school friends and their husbands whom the would meet with monthly. Joe always stayed close to his teachers buddies too. They would go on legendary fishing trips together yearly. Joe was a WW II Army Veteran serving in the sequestered special unit in Oxford, England which developed the film for D-Day (1944). He spent most of his career teaching PE in the Rush-Henrietta School District, principally at the Burger Jr. High. Over the years he had undefeated soccer, wrestling and track teams. He was instrumental in developing and growing soccer at RH. Known for his many colorful and quotable phrases "Toughy Buns". In his later years, 80's to be exact, Joe won his class in the Senior Olympics in Florida for shot put, He also threw the ball over 50 yards. Joe's greatest joys in his life was his family, friends, teaching and coaching, sports, sailing (Lake Ontario, Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake and Thousand Islands), fishing, golf, soccer and traveling. There will be a Celebration of Life for ALL who come with love in their hearts for Joe on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 1-4 pm at the Jewish Home of Rochester Sokol Solarium, 2021 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Joe to Rush Henrietta School District, 2034 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta, NY 14467 to be used for athletics or the American Heart Association, 25 Circle Street, Rochester, NY 14607.