Obituary of Richard Francis Shawhan

Richard Francis Shawhan, Sr. 81, our beloved, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away from a brief illness on June 20, 2007 in Sebring Florida after putting up a valiant fight. He spent his last fourteen winters in Sebring. He continued to perfect his well known piano playing skills by traveling to many nursing homes in both Akron and Sebring, Florida. His piano playing gave great joy to those residents as well as the neighbors he resided with in Akron and Sebring. Richard was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 21, 1925 and then remained a life long authentic resident of Barberton and Akron. He graduated from Barberton High School January Class of 1944 where he remained active until his death. He was a regular at the mini reunion monthly luncheons while helping to plan and then attend his sixty-second class reunion in September 2006. He also liked to be found every Saturday morning at "The Waterloo" with "The Unattached Club" making plans where to have dinner while they were still having breakfast. His many friends and co-workers at Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron knew him as "Doctor Dick". In turn he was a staunch member of the URW /United Steel Workers Local 7 on Kelly Ave. After retiring in 1978 from Plant 2 Final Inspections following thirty-seven years of faithful service, Dick and Mary called Homestead, Florida their winter home until Hurricane Andrew chased them out in 1992. Prior to that, Dick had been an active member of the VFW (Waterloo) and was a veteran who honorably served his Country during WWII in the Navy on the U.S.S. AUK Minesweeper. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus - 3rd degree (Glenmount). He was also a devoted and lifelong member of Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in Kenmore where he was a past member of the Holy Name Society and coached I.C.C. baseball in his younger years. He continued to be involved in many of their other organizations when he was not wintering in Florida. He was very proud of the fact that he was a long time member of The Catholic Men's Rosary Choir which allowed him to travel and sing. Dick was one of the founding members of The United Fellowship Hunt and Fish Club of Canal Fulton. He was an active voice for AARP. He was known as an avid Ohio sports fan his entire life but most importantly, dad never lost his desire to travel. He was preceded in death by Mary, his loving wife of 54 years on November 10, 2002 whom also shared his love for travel as well as their many other mutual interests. Surviving this beautiful union includes his beloved six children, Michael (Denise) of Akron, Patricia of Akron, who lovingly took care of him for five years after "Mommie" died, Rick (Richard Jr.) of Hilliard, OH, Judith Grasinger (Samuel) of Roswell, GA, Dennis (Tamela) of Akron, and Thomas (Carol) of Akron. There are also Eight Grandchildren left to cherish his memory, Kyle (Anne) and Brian Shawhan, Holly and Brandon Shawhan, Esther and Mary Grasinger, and Stuart and Cole Shawhan. He will also be sorely missed by four great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kalym, and Kylie Anne Shawhan and Tristen Morgan, who were just getting to know their great-grandpa. His family was far flung so he will also be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and numerous friends not only in Ohio and Florida, but all over the United States and Canada. "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dogs from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come." (W.H. Auden) The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Rd. A Rosary will be said at 7:30 pm by the Knights of Columbus. Funeral services will begin Wednesday at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. and continue with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception of Mary Church in Kenmore. The Rev. Michael B. Smith is Officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in Kenmore made in Richard's memory would be appreciated by his family. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 724-1281, www.kakfh.com) AN ANTHONY FUNERAL HOME