Deacon Richard M. Johnson

Deacon Rich Johnson, died peacefully and entered his heavenly home on Saturday, July 27, 2024. He was surrounded by family in a room filled with love, tears, and laughter.

In October 1942, he was born in Ashtabula, to Melvin & Rose (Tulino) where he grew up on Vineland Avenue in a lively household with his siblings, Melvena (the late Melvin Beebe), Bill (Connie), and deceased sister, Arlene (the late Jerry Severino). After graduating from St. John High School (Class of 1960) he enlisted in the Navy where he served as a Petty Officer Second Class Radioman for the BeachMaters Unit. Being a veteran to our country was one of his proudest honors. After serving, he returned to Ashtabula where he noticed the cute neighbor girl who grew up while he was gone. With the matchmaking skills of his sister Arlene, Rich and Joyce fell in love at the bowling alley. From that day on they were inseparable and married in May 1965. A little over a year later they purchased their life-long home and began creating their family, daughters Michele and a few years later Lori. The family of four became thirteen with the addition of a son-in-law Matt (Lori) and his son Ethan, grandchildren Kyle (Kihana), Hadley, Michael, Lauren, and Liam, and great-grandchild Dawson. Rich was a very loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather (fondly known as Bud) because his family, even the furry family members, meant the world to him.

After 30 years, Rich retired as an instrument technician from RMI Sodium to begin a new journey to work for nonprofit agencies at Community Action and Jobs & Family Services. In December 1994, Rich answered the calling to serve the Lord as a Deacon. He became an ordained Deacon of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese at St. Joseph Parish, now known as Our Lady of Peace Parish.  As a Deacon, Rich baptized, administered First Communion to all of his grandchildren, and blessed the marriage of his first-born grandson. He continued to bless others in the community through all his Deacon ministry. Facing life’s ups & downs, with his wife Joyce by his side, it was his deep faith and devotion to God that always led him. He faithfully prayed, wrote touching homilies, and said the rosary for all those he loved and cared for.

Other than time spent with family, friends, or at the church, Rich enjoyed fishing at the lake in Jefferson where he taught the family how to bait a hook and wait patiently for the right bite. He spent warm days in the garden growing what could have been award-winning produce, and avidly read at least one or two books a week. Rich shared a love of jigsaw puzzles along with his sisters and was a master at completing hundreds, many which became framed works of art. He also had the best sense of humor and quick wit and when he and his brother got together, watch out, everyone was fair game, and it always filled the room with laughter. Having a bit of a sweet tooth he was always up to take a car ride for ice cream at Whippy Dip, enjoyed a good cream stick donut with coffee, and he loved making his homemade sauce and meatballs for dinner, Italian chicken and potatoes, or omelets on weekend mornings for his family to happily enjoy.

God blessed our family with a devoted husband/father/grandfather. We were all so incredibly fortunate to learn about life, faith, love, family, and friendships through not only the words he spoke but the actions he took. While he will be terribly missed we know the Lord has big plans for him in heaven and we know we will have an angel guiding us along the way.

Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Mt. Carmel Church, 1200 E. 21st Street, Ashtabula, on Friday, August 2, 2024. Calling hours will be from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM and a funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 PM.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Lady of Peace Parish.

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