OCEAN GROVE - John Joseph Bauer, 84, of Ocean Grove passed away on March 31, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife Linda (formerly Linda Gray Pollack) as well as his stepson Joseph Pollack and his wife Whitney of Glen Ridge, his stepdaughter Emily Pollack of Closter and four grandchildren Henry, Sam, Oliver and Sadie. John was born in New Brunswick and grew up in Highland Park. His parents were Otto and Jean Bauer. He graduated from Highland Park High School and Cornell University, with a science degree. He was employed by Merck Co. in Rahway in the quality operations area. John and Linda met crossing the street while vacationing in Bar Harbor, Maine in 2001. They started walking dogs at the Monmouth County SPCA shortly after that and a friendship blossomed into love. They moved to Ocean Grove in 2002. John and Linda walked untold numbers of homeless dogs and adopted four of them. Their loyal dog Toby was allowed into the nursing home room and provided comfort to John in his final days. John loved the game of baseball his entire life and donated an extensive baseball card collection to the Monmouth County SPCA. He coached in the Eatontown Baseball League for 42 years and was honored by the town for his service. One of his proudest accomplishments was the improvements made to 80 Acres Park in Eatontown for a concessions/clubhouse building, lights, and the Little League baseball fields, paid for by donations from the community. John was devoted to physical fitness, both running outside and working out at the gym. He completed 8 marathons and many shorter runs. John loved nature and being outdoors. He supported many environmental causes. He was an avid gardener and became a certified Rutgers Master Gardener in 2005. He was involved in planting and maintaining rain gardens at the Freehold Agriculture Building and Brookdale Community College as well as other smaller public spaces. He spent many hours volunteering at the Bradley Beach Maritime Forest and served on the Fletcher Lake Commission. John served as a Trustee of the Master Gardeners and received a 3,000-hour service award. A family memorial service is planned. Memorial contributions may be made to Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724.