John P. Badger

John P. Badger, 93, of Genoa, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Genoa Retirement Village, where he had lived for a short time. He was born in Malone, NY on July 12, 1931, the son of Judge John P. and Mary (Langan) Badger. He graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

John moved to Fremont, Ohio in 1953, from his home in Brushton, NY, to take a job with National Carbon, later known as Union Carbide. He met the love of his life, Florence Heid, and they married in Fremont on June 16, 1956. John later took a job with Prestolite Battery in Toledo, Ohio in 1957 and remained there until 1979, when he started his own business, JBI Corporation. John continued to build his business until his retirement in 1996, when his son, Joseph took over the business continuing to build on his father’s innovations and his own.

John was an inventor as well and held over 40 patents in the lead acid battery industry. He was an innovator in the field of AGM batteries, developing a separator that is still used today. John continued innovating long after his retirement and most times had several projects going at once.

When John retired, he and Florence traveled the world, enjoying many far-off cultures, landscapes and historic sites. He was an avid boater his entire life, usually having several boats at the same time. He enjoyed working on them as much as being on the water. He and Florence, for many years, spent their summers on Stanley Island in Ontario, Canada and the warm winter months in Naples, Florida.

John is survived by his children, Joseph P. (Debbie) Badger, William L. (Kathy) Badger, Peggy A. (Paul) Ruby and Mary K. (Robert) Topoleski, grandchildren, Adam (Melanie), Jorja, Tess, Sydney, and great-grandchild, Jaina, and siblings, Margaret Boyle and Barbara Short. He was preceded in death by his beloved Florence in 2016, his parents, and siblings, William, James, Mary, Caroline, Catherine, Peter, Anne and Thomas.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, Ohio. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 S. Main St., Genoa, followed by interment in the Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa. Those wishing to donate in John’s memory are asked to consider the Allen-Clay Joint Fire District or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

John’s family would like to thank the caring staff at the Genoa Retirement Village for their kindness and compassion during his stay with them. We always felt he was loved and in good hands! Also, a special thank you to Karen Kapp, John’s caregiver. If it were not for your wonderful loving care, Dad would never have been as comfortable and content. We appreciate you so very much.