Celebration of John Bachman's Life on Sunday

John Bachman's obituary from Smith & Heald Funeral Home:

John Bachman, 71, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend of many and local business owner tragically passed away on Monday, December. 23, 2013 from injuries sustained when struck by a motor vehicle.

John was born in Wheeling, West Virginia and was a graduate of West Virginia University. He began his electrical engineering career with Westinghouse. He resided in Amherst for 43-years and during that time was employed by the former Sanders Associates, Harris Corporation and as manager of research and development for Wang Corporation. In 1986 John started Analog Technology and later sold his portion of the business. In 1991 John started AnaTek Corp., a global firm that imports and exports testing equipment for the electronics repair industry.

John, or Giovanni Bonevantura as he liked to be called, loved his family, loved life and lived to laugh. His whit, although not always appreciated by his family, is just one attribute for which he will be forever remembered. John had the amazing ability to walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with a room full of friends. He lived life out loud and on his terms. John was active in the local community serving with the Amherst Fire Department for 18 years where he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief of Department from 1991-1994.

John also spent many hours volunteering for various other community organizations including umpiring with the Milford Community Athletic Association, Babe Ruth Baseball and as an assistant coach for the Milford High School Baseball Team. John was an active member of the Southern New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Group and was proud of his accomplishments with his mini-farm growing various fruits and vegetables. John was also a well-known columnist for the Nashua Telegraph. His wide range of articles spanned everyday life, local politics, youth sports and often his outspoken views supporting the American troops and their mission, the belief in freedom and his political beliefs as a conservative American.

In addition to his loving wife of 22 years, Marilyn (MJ), John leaves behind his daughter and son-law, Pamela and William McKinney of Mont Vernon, NH; a son, James Bachman of Oakland CA; Michelle and Michael Cristo of Charlton City, MA, Christine Hatfield and her partner, John McNamara of Grafton, MA; his beloved 7 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild and many, many friends. John was predeceased by his son John Jr., parents Angela Willis, Carl Bachman and step mother, Marcie Bachman.

Calling hours are Sunday December, 29, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, followed by a Celebration of John's life from 3 to 6 p.m. at Labelle Winery, 345 Route 101 in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of John Bachman to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire at P.O. Box 1327, Manchester, NH 03105-1327 or the UNH Cooperative Extension at Taylor Hall, 59 College Road, Durham, NH 03824.