John Sewall Baehr, age 79, passed away on August 18, 2026, after a challenging battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, his son, Joseph Hermes; his daughter, Amanda (Brian) Allen; his son, Joshua (Stacey) Hermes; and his daughter, Megan Francisco. He also leaves behind four grandsons and two granddaughters.

John was born in Plainfield, NJ and was the son of Lida Sewall Baehr and Robert Albert Baehr. John was predeceased by his father in 1959, his mother in 2005, and his stepfather, Alfred John Guzzetti, in 2010. After his father’s death in 1959, John and his mother spent two years in Pennsylvania, and then went to Taiwan where John completed high school at Morrison Academy and his first year of college at Tunghai University. It was there that he established many friends, some of them with whom he shared pleasant memories and communications until the time of his death. After receiving his B.A. at Barrington College, he completed his college studies with an M.A. in Asian Studies and a concentration of Chinese language at Seton Hall University and an M.A. in Education at Rutgers University.

John’s greatest loves were his loving family and the opportunity to work with children. He taught World Cultures at Watchung Hills Regional High School for 38 years. While he was there, he established a Bible club that met alternately at the school and the homes of students. For many years he led a community service club in which some of the Watchung Hills students partnered with two local schools to provide services including tutoring and mentoring to students and residents in a local town. John also coached track and soccer at Watching Hills for many years. His passion for things Chinese and the Chinese language motivated him to initiate and establish a Chinese program at Watchung Hills and allowed him to teach basic Chinese during his last years before retirement. He also started the track and cross-country programs at Timothy Christian School in Piscataway, New Jersey and voluntarily taught elementary Chinese at the school.

Through the years John volunteered with many different organizations including Angel Tree Fellowship, Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion, Friends of Strong, Trivium Academy, and Rochester Classical Academy to name a few. John enjoyed many happy (and often challenging times) at two camps- four years as a counselor in the late 60s at Deerfoot Lodge in New York and eight years during the 70s and 80s directing Camp Iroquoina in Pennsylvania. In fact, every Monday until the time of his passing he met with old friends from Deerfoot on zoom.

For much of his adult life, John was a congregant of Cedarcroft Bible Chapel in South Plainfield, NJ. While he served for a time as a church elder, his primary joy was in developing a children’s ministry. This ministry included developing a vibrant Sunday School where the Scriptures were faithfully taught and children got a chance to show their love for others with a monthly nursing home ministry. They also enjoyed decorating and riding on the church float in the annual town Labor Day Parade. John was involved in running the Cedarcroft Youth Club, a Friday night of fun and learning about Jesus for about 80 children.

His wife Nancy, not only helped with the programs but became the love of his life. Together they were involved in children’s work, including a children’s youth choir, Christmas programs, decorating the Labor Day Float, and organizing the nursing home ministry. John was a faithful member of Grace Road Church in Rochester, New York along with his wife.

In 2016, life events took them to the Rochester area of New York. John lived as a retired schoolteacher. He continued his love for children when he helped establish Rochester Classical Academy, a classical school in Rochester. He served on the Board for four years as well as volunteered time for recess until his illness. He was proud to see that the school has continued to flourish.

John developed a passion for outdoor work. He loved mowing the lawn, landscaping, building box gardens for his wife and laying paver paths for various projects. His final years were spent enjoying precious time with his children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

Family and friends may gather for calling hours from 4-6PM on Friday (September 4) at Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapels, 1040 Rte. 31, Macedon, NY 14502, where a funeral service for John will be held at 6PM. John will privately be laid to rest in White Haven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John’s memory to the Rochester Classical Academy - Baehr Mission and Service Fund.