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Thread: John Bakos

  1. #1
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    John Bakos

    To my Mercury, boat racing, and aviation friends a sad message. John Bakos is now in Hospice care in Fond du Lac. A friend just stopped to see him and said he is still able to communicate. I do not have any further information at this time.

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    Very sad indeed. One of the Greatest on the Mercury Race Team, One of the first I met at Lake X around 1958-59, and certainly one of the nicest. We always hung out at the Off Reunions.

    Johnnys cat at Jim Sewares house in 1960. Right down the street from Skyway Marine.. He had bumped into a bridge testing.
    God Bless you and be with you John.
    Treasure and I have you in our prayers.

    Butch
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails johnny b.jpg   johnny b1.jpg  
    Last edited by lilabner; 12-21-2018 at 11:57 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lilabner View Post
    Very sad indeed. One of the Greatest on the Mercury Race Team, One of the first I met at Lake X around 1958-59, and certainly one of the nicest. We always hung out at the Off Reunions.

    Johnnys cat at Jim Sewares house in 1960. Right down the street from Skyway Marine.. He had bumped into a bridge testing.
    God Bless you and be with you John.
    Treasure and I have you in our prayers.

    Butch
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    Johnny B
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mercury Cat1.jpg  

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    As of today, December 31, 2018, John has passed, I do not know the time. One of the greastest to ever hold a wheel and throttle.

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    Condolences and prayers to the family and friends.
    Josh Peterson

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    John R. "Johnny" Bakos


    Fond du Lac - John R. "Johnny" Bakos, age 91, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 28, 2018, at Hospice Home of Hope.

    He was born on June 4, 1927, in Elyria, OH, where he grew up, the son of Helen Leczo and John Bakos both descendants of Austria Hungary. He moved to Dearborn, Michigan where he enlisted in the US Navy from 1944-1946. In 1958, Johnny, a former Southern California club racer, became the first Mercury factory race boat driver hired by founder Carl Kiekhaefer. Johnny became a go-to-guy for Kiekhaefer, supervising construction at Lake X, Florida, driving test boats and racing. Johnny won races and set records until 1970 when he relocated to Fond du Lac, WI to become the first OEM field technical representative. John continued to work at Mercury Marine and retiring after thirty-eight years.

    John was a competitor at heart and had a need for speed. Not only did he enjoy racing boats and snowmobiling at fast speeds, John had a passion for flying. The Fond du Lac Skyport became an important part of his life after he purchased his Bonanza airplane and a hangar. John's hangar gave him a place to restore old cars and pursue his love of collector cars, with his specialties being Mustangs and hotrods. John enjoyed participating in car shows around the state.

    John was an active member of the EAA, EAA Chapter 572, AOPA, Fondy Vintage Auto Club, and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #57.

    John is survived by his wife Carolyn; daughters, Robin (Mark) Anders of Fond du Lac, WI, Ronda Bakos (fiancé Michael Leonhard) of West Bend, WI and Danielle Bakos of Elizabethtown, KY; and siblings Mike Bakos of Elyria, OH, Ernie Bakos of Lorain, OH, and Barabara Redman of Ashland, OH. John is also survived by his ex-wife and mother of his daughters Robin and Ronda, Helen (Merry) Bakos, grandchildren, Kelly (Jim) Krause, Tony (Heather) Anders, Ashley (Jason) Thomas, Ian Devenport, Paige Devenport, Maxx Devenport and 5 great-grandchildren, Adelyn, Paisley, Layne, Lennon, and William, and several nieces and nephews.

    In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister, Violet (Bakos) Mertens, his brothers, Jim, Joe, and Tom; and his son-in-law, Mark Anders.

    We extend our deep appreciation for the care and support given to John from the staff members at the Hospice Home of Hope and Harbor Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center.

    One of John's favorite songs was 'Fly Me to the Moon.' In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that donations be made to an EAA scholarship in John's name to help aviation enthusiasts gain their wings. Please make checks payable to Bakos EAA Scholarship.

    A celebration of John's life will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.

    Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.

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    My Dad passed away Friday, December 28 at 10:48am.

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    I feel pretty sad, Treasure said one of the nicest guys ever. I agree. Thanks for the update Bernie, Bob V. and Ronda. He was one of those guys that always looked the same, no matter how long it had been since you saw him last. I remember when I worked for Dave Craig Johnny had acquired two Plymouths from Mr. K and swapped the engines in them. Mr K always had hot rods and would sell them to employees when he was done with them. He came down with Chuck Mersereau and others for a race, but early enough to go to the drags at Masters Field in Miami. He did pretty well too.
    I'm going to miss one of the best of OFF.
    RIP John..
    Last edited by lilabner; 12-31-2018 at 11:04 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by RondaBakos View Post
    My Dad passed away Friday, December 28 at 10:48am.
    So sorry for your loss. He was a true gentleman in every respect, and a fierce competitor. I am proud to have been his friend.I will miss him.

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  20. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by RondaBakos View Post
    My Dad passed away Friday, December 28 at 10:48am.
    sorry for the loss of your father. he was always such pleasure to be around.
    The "Wheel Man" of the Sunshine Syndicate

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  22. #12
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    I met Johnny back in the early 60s but just briefly.
    Around 25 years ago I attended an aerobatic competition at the Fond du Lac airport. I asked the desk person if there were any of the Mercury guys around and she said John Bakos had a hangar.
    i went over and introduced myself and it began a second friendship. We visited a number of times during the Oshkosh airshows and at many of the OFF reunions. I always called him the Chairman of the Board for his calm and professional demeanor. He was one of the really great ones.
    i know there are many like me that hold him in the highest esteem.
    Charlie

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