He was born June 5, 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janet, and son Vincent J. Richilano, Jr.
Vince, as he was known throughout his life, attended Miami University, where in 1936 he won the heavyweight boxing championship, Case Institute of Technology, and Baldwin-Wallace College. During World War II, he served our country in technical positions within the defense industry at White Motor and Westinghouse.
Following the war he continued his work in the defense industry at the Cadillac Tank Plant in Berea, Ohio until 1958. Thereafter, he founded Zephyr Engineering in Cleveland, and later expanded operations to Ashland, Ohio, where he continued to work until shortly before his death.
Vince was a lifetime golfer and a true student of the game. He was also a passionate sportsman who built his own hunting rifles.
An avid reader, Vince had a knack for turning sentences into stories. His Jeromesville property served as his haven and refuge, the place where he wrote stories that often reflected his Italian heritage. He was an excellent cook who over the decades staged numerous pasta dinner fundraisers for charitable organizations.
At 6'4" in his prime, Vince was a towering presence, yet was known for his gentle touch and loving affection for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He is survived by four children: Mariann Byrne of Lima, Ohio, John Richilano of Denver, Colorado, Mark Richilano of Hood River, Oregon, and David Richilano of Ashland, Ohio. He left nine grandchildren: Chris Byrne, Britt Byrne, Shamus Richilano, Kristina Schauer, Jamie Richilano, Colin Richilano, Aaron Richilano, Nicolas Richilano and Jonathan Richilano; as well as nine great-grandchildren, all of whom affectionately knew him as Pop-Pop.
A viewing will be held at Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Ave., Ashland between 7 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010. Mass of Christian burial will be said at St. Edward Catholic Church in Ashland Friday, May 14, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio.
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