John Baran Obituary

Long gone, but never forgotten. We loved him at St. Joe's, and all his parishioners at St Anthony of Padua lost a great man much too soon. He's probably charming everyone he's met in Heaven.

Father John,You were my spiritual guide. How your shining light is missed in this world today. Rest in peace, my prayers for you are daily.Patty Olsen

John was a very young man when he came to St Joseph's Church in S. Norwalk, CT. My first contacts with him came while he was leading the RCIA program the year I became a Catholic in 1991. He encouraged me to be a lector, a duty I carried out for more than 20 years.

Everyone who knew John loved him. He was an inspired Christian whose sense of joy was always apparent. He was taken from this earthly plain much too soon, but I'll always carry with me the memory of his smiling face.

I still keep you in my prayers. I miss your joy and your friendship.

I still really miss you, Father John. You are not forgotten. Much Love.

Thank you Father John Baran for your Holy Service to Our Community of Faith at Saint Anthony of Padua Church. You meant a lot to the Welch family. May God bless you with many graces to dispense at you will. We will miss you but the memories of our time with you will live on.

So sad to hear this!! Rest in Peace Father Baran!! From the day my husband a I met you at St. Joseph's, you were such a kindhearted person who made us feel at ease. You were the one who would eventually perform our wedding almost 25 years ago. May God take you and shelter you in His great kingdom!!

Rest in peace Father John. You will be missed by many people whose lives you touched with
your kind soul

From the day we met Father Baran, he touched our hearts. He knew most of my family for years from St.Joseph before I met him last year. He baptized our daughter and instantly became part of our family. We cherish all of the memories he shared with us from knowing my grandparents, and all of the new memories we have now made with our children. He will live on in our hearts always.

just a wonderful person ,knew him from St Josephs in south norwalk. was fortunate to see him last year in fairfield when he baptized my grandaughter. special person

Father John was a special human being, an understatement for sure, a gift from God, which only partially describes his greatness -- highly intelligent, inspirational, humorous and loving. Only an all-knowing God would know to place him in our midst. How blessed we were that our lives intersected with his.

So very sad to hear of Father John's passing. From the first time we attended mass at St. Anthony's 12 years ago and heard Father John speak to us, we knew we found our new parish. He was an amazing human being. We so grateful to have had this wonderful priest renew our faith in the Catholic Church.

Sending prayers for Father John and sympathies to your family and friends. Your words were always thoughtful and uplifting!
You will be deeply missed. The Hudson family.

We went to high school together! Rest in Peace, John

Father John was an inspiration as he faced his debilitating illness with courage and even humor. We can all be comforted that he is at peace now and welcomed by God.

Have no words to express my sadness on the passing of Fr. Baran. He was one of the finest Priests I have ever met. He was fun, great teacher, and great preacher. Rest in peace. My condolences to all near him.

father John, you were one of those gifted priests that could reach out to your congregation . lift up those who suffered and show us how to carry our crosses and to trust in the mercy of God.May God bless and keep you. RIP Patty Olsen

Fr John was so much fun, love and he married my Erik and I 30 years ago. I am so shocked. He baptized my girls. So so sad..xo

Omg I am so shocked. I loved him...omg..RIP Fr John...

God bless you Fr. john - a truly wonderful man who made you think and laugh - thanks so all you have done for us!!

Rest in peace Fr. John. You were and remain an inspiration to me. From the first day I heard you speak to your greeting all of us at Christmas Mass - you were words and smile were always uplifting. My sympathies to your family and friends.

RIP,Father John.You will be Sadly missed!

Father John, you will never be forgotten...Rest in eternal peace.

You brought me back to church. God bless you, Father John.

Sending our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Fr. John. We will always remember him from his time at Assumption Church in Fairfield. Wonderful priest to all.

Fr John was a wonderful guide for me when--at age 50--I began my voyage through the RCIA program at St Joseph Church in South Norwalk. In 1991 He was one of three officiants when my husband I were married at the altar of that parish 10 days after my Easter baptism (and three weeks before the 15th anniversary of our civil marriage.)

He was a rare fellow indeed, and everyone appreciated his boyish enthusiasm and creativity as he shared God's word with his flock; the ways in which he expressed his love for Jesus was especially valuable for its positive influence on the teenagers in his youth group.

Priests of John Baran's talents and dedication are rare indeed; his smile and inward grace will be dearly missed.

Gone much too soon....

Thank you for all you have done, you will be missed by all.

Wayne and I and the children are so sad to hear this news. He was a wonderful priest and person, and will be greatly missed by all. Diane Lathrop

Dear Eleanor,Frank Beth and all Parishioners, Father John will be truly missed but never forgotten.He made a church a wonderful parish.His homily where mindful and always left you thinking of his message. He made you open your eyes and try to e a better person.My heart is sad.Not did we lose our Pastor, but I can truly say I loss a friend. Billy