Francis J. Bauer, III “Frank“

Francis Joseph Bauer, III, “Frank”, age 76, of Millcreek, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at home with his family after battling an extended illness. He was born in Erie on April 12, 1949, son of the late Francis J. Bauer, Jr. and Martha C. (Grucza) Bauer. A lifelong Erie resident, Frank attended Sacred Heart, Cathedral Prep, and Strong Vincent schools. After graduating high school, he volunteered and served 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War with the Naval Seabees and survived Hurricane Camille.

Frank returned home where he was an electrician with the IBEW Local 56 and also taught in the electrical apprenticeship program. He was a skydiver with over 2,500 jumps and a skydiving instructor. Frank was a lifelong and avid hunter/fisherman along with being a gun and coin enthusiast. AKA; “Captain Frank”. He was always one for jokes and trying to make people laugh. His most notorious one being whenever he was called by his given name, “Francis is my gay brother, I’m Frank”. Frank also loved his dogs and cats.

Survivors include his loving wife of 32 years, Judy (Batten) Bauer, whom he married June 21, 2002; a son Aaron J. Batten; a daughter, Caitlin M. Bauer (Darryl Balinski); a sister, Kathleen Bauer; brother and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ann (Bauer) Dawson and a nephew, Christopher Dawson, and in-laws Leonard and Mariann (Cieslak) Batten.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 3pm until 7pm at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.,4216 Sterrettania Road, Erie, PA 16506.

Private interment

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Salvation Army.