Richard M. "Rick" Osborne Sr.

1945 - 2021

Richard M. "Rick" Osborne Sr. obituary, 1945-2021, Mentor, OH

Richard M. "Rick" Osborne Sr.

1945 - 2021

Richard Osborne Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Jun. 8 to Jun. 9, 2021.
age 75 of Concord, formerly of Waite Hill and Mentor, passed away Friday, June 4, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland. He was born September 22, 1945 in Painesville, OH. Mr. Osborne owned, started, and operated many family-owned businesses throughout his career. With only a high school degree (Rick never missed a day of school), his plan was not to have a plan and he lived by it daily. The only plan he had was to wake up and work hard every day! Rick would say, "my brother Jerry told me, the harder I work, the luckier I am"! His businesses were primarily involved initially in the tree service and welding supply industries, building 13 welding supply stores in NE Ohio. Then followed businesses in air separation and specialty gases, real estate, construction, banking, senior living, self-storage, cosmetics, oil-gas exploration and pipelines, excavation, concrete and materials, and development. The primary companies included Osborne Brothers Tree Service, Inc., Osborne Brothers Welding Supply, Osair, Inc., Heisley-Hopkins, Inc., People Savings, Great Lakes Bank, Lake Erie Iron and Metal, Liberty Self Storage, Retirement Management, Inc., Key West Aloe, Great Plains Explorations, John D. Oil and Gas, Orwell Natural Gas, Energy West, Bangor Gas, Frontier Natural Gas, Gas Natural, and many more. One of Rick's biggest accomplishments was when he and his father, Jerome T. Osborne Sr. purchased Great Lakes Bank. He cherished the opportunity to be in partnership with his father with a locally owned private bank. Another notable event and dream of Rick's was to "Ring the Bell" on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. This occurred when he founded and formed Gas Natural (ticker symbol EGAS) on the big board in 2008. Rick also loved the legal part of the business and would from time to time challenge his own council on specific topics. He would argue for what he believed in and would never back down on the topic at hand. As far as construction, Rick was instrumental in building many industrial corridors and roads in Mentor that include Tyler Boulevard Extension, East Avenue, Pinecone Drive, Hamilton Drive, Mercantile Drive, Spinach Blvd., Tin Man Road, and others. Over the years, Rick constructed millions of square feet of commercial and industrial buildings in Mentor and Lake County. He provided opportunity to many "start" up businesses that still exist today! Rick was a graduate of Mentor High School, class of 1963. He enjoyed the outdoors that included golfing, hunting, boating, and "walking the line" in PA. He also enjoyed playing the stock market and going to sheriff sales. He was a true property junky! He used to love playing golf with his brothers and father, which usually ended in a "friendly feud" on who won. Every summer, he would go on the "banker golf tour' and spend time golfing with family and business friends. One such annual golf event was at Oakwood Country Club, invited by long-time attorney of 50+ years, Melvin Resnick. Golf would be played and deals would get done. Rick also cherished his times he had with his daughter Morgan on the competitive horse circuit all around the country. Morgan would compete and Rick would watch and relax during these times. He truly loved those days. Another one of his true passions was creating, building, and being outside in the woods working with the guys. A true visionary, Rick would clear and chip entire woods so they looked "immaculate" and would always outwork the youngsters. Looking for a retreat, he purchased a tract of land of 63 acres in 1990 in Tidiuote, PA that would later be named RIGRTONA. He would eventually spend many days working and expanding his so-called "mistress" that included building several cabins, miles of trails, an air strip, hanger, shelters, fire pits, trout ponds, and an oil/gas business. Many family weekends and days were spent in his Tidioute retreat and memories will last forever. Rick also was very giving to say the least and donated to several organizations over the years. One notable donation included Mentor High School in 2006 when Jerome T. Osborne Sr. stadium was renovated with artificial turf and scoreboard in memory of his father. The last few years, Rick enjoyed spending time at dinner with his family and friends at the Trout Club, watching movies and dateline, and playing Candy Crush on his tablet (although he never owned a computer and had a flip phone). Rick's one liners were classic and he had nick-name for everyone. His energy for life was truly contagious and his legacy will live forever. As the song says by Frank Sinatra, "I did it my way"! Survivors include his wife: Nahtara Reid; children: Jennifer (Loreto M.) Iafelice, Beth Ann Osborne, Richard M. (Tricia) Osborne Jr., Gregory J. Osborne, Nathan D. Osborne and Morgan Silverman; grandchildren: Christina and Regina Iafelice, Loreto M. Iafelice III, Zachary Iafelice, Michaela (Timothy Freeman) Sullivan, Sarah (Adam) Mayse, Anthony "A.J." (Becca) Callahan, Marc C. (Amanda) Osborne, Isabella A. (Alex) Miller, Richard M. "Ricky" Osborne III, Tessa J. and Tatum Osborne, Avery, Emily and Claire Silverman, Gregory, Acacia, Mack and Jack Osborne; great-grandchildren: Lucas, Mabel, Ashton, Bryant and Braylon; siblings: Michael (Nancy) Osborne, Georgeanne (Gary) Gorman, Jacqueline Osborne Fisher, Jeremy Osborne and Mary Ann Osborne; sister in law: Maureen Osborne; brother in law: Dr. William Krug and former wife, Diane Osborne. Preceding Rick in death are his twin-daughters: Mildred and Lisa Osborne; son: Tommy Osborne; parents: Jerome T. and Georgeanne S. Osborne; siblings: Kimberly Krug, Jerome T. Osborne Jr., and Gregory Osborne and former wife: Irene Winslow. The family will receive friends from 3:00 - 8:00 pm Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. There will be a private family service, with interment in Mentor Cemetery, Mentor. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions may be made to Lake Catholic High School, 6733 Reynolds Rd, Mentor, OH 44060 and or Andrews Osborne Academy, 38588 Mentor Ave, Willoughby, OH 44094 Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com

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Sign Richard Osborne's Guest Book

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March 28, 2025

Nick Vukcevic posted to the memorial.

June 13, 2021

Jeannie Mcpeek posted to the memorial.

June 11, 2021

Doug Lewis posted to the memorial.

Nick Vukcevic

March 28, 2025

Rick was an inspiration for anyone that new him, having known Rick in his last year in Mentor High. When I started my business Diku Inc. it was in one of Rick's first building. Yes, Rick was truly my inspiration as I tried to follow his lead in hard work as the way to grow your own business. Mentor had some young entrepreneur in the 60s & 70s Rick Osborne was the leader which added to Mentor's growth in a big way. Big THANK YOU RICK

Jeannie Mcpeek

June 13, 2021

My condolences for the entire Osborne family, which i was blessed to work for alot of them, and get to know several extended family members. I have never known such giving & generous people who treated me like family. As Kimberly & I sat and reminisced memories, she reminded me Big Rick drove from his cabin in Pa. back to Mentor to get her wedding rings that Johnny forgot for their wedding the next day. My son was panicking but Rick Sr saved the day!!!! They were all there for me when i lost my Tom and i will love them forever!!! Such a wonderful family!!! God bless you all!!! Love Jeannie

Doug Lewis

June 11, 2021

Dear Osborne Family:

My sincere condolences on the passing of Rick, Sr. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May peace be with you!

Sincerely,
Doug Lewis
City of Painesville

Keith Rogers

June 11, 2021

My deepest condolences to the entire Osborne family may Rick rest in Heaven .
God Bless,
Keith Rogers
RAR Contracting Co, Inc.

Tony Bertone

June 10, 2021

I always enjoyed being around Rick. He always had a way to make you laugh and was always interested in what you thought and had to say. He was never afraid of a challenge and did more for our community than most will ever know. He was an inspiration to me and so many others. I’m a glad I knew him and consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. He leaves a great legacy in his children who all possess and carry many of his best traits, mannerisms and character. He will truly be missed. I wish Rick and all his family peace and great remembrance of the fine man he was.

Yves & Gaetane Paquet

June 10, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Leona Streiner

June 10, 2021

Rick was a great neighbor and enjoyed having our kids play together when they were young. We just lived three houses apart and yet he drove them home just to ask if he could take them all to Dairy Queen after dinner . Carol remembers he helped her remove a loose tooth when she was growing up. We all enjoyed the neighborhood block party at his house. May God bless him for his kindness.

Guy Humphrey

June 10, 2021

My sincerest condolences to the Osborne family and friends. I was one of those legal counsel who was challenged by Rick. I can recall once asking him how I was supposed to accomplish what he was asking me to do. His response was: "If I knew how to do it, I would do it myself." I think I can safely say that I had no other client who challenged me as much and from whom I learned as much. It was always a pleasure working for and with Rick (and more aptly -- always a hoot). Every young lawyer would benefit from having a "Rick" as a client. There is no doubt that Rick will be missed far and wide -- his circles were many and have rippled far and wide. RIP RMO.

Cecily Renzi

June 9, 2021

I only knew Rick for a couple years. His flip phone made me laugh. I would pick on him every time he came to the office with that thing. He said he couldn't figure out the 'dumb' phones, yet he managed to create and/or operate several personal and family ventures in the business world. Smart man. Be it known that Rick was one of the only clients who could pronounce my name, but mispronounced it on purpose (probably because I made fun of his flip phone!). Rest easy Mr. Osborne. My condolences to his family & friends.

Warm Embrace Arrangement

RAR Contracting Company

Sent Flowers

Lisa Summers

June 9, 2021

I will miss you, my friend and I will never forget you. God's Speed to you Richard I wish for you nothing but peace in your eternal rest. Lisa Summers

Richard Baumgart

June 9, 2021

Rick was one of a kind, with a soft underbelly beneath the combative exterior. I will miss his “legal” arguments, which were a regular occurrence despite his lack of a law degree. There was a very loyal and generous side to him which unfortunately many did not get to see. My condolences to all of the family and friends. I am sorry I will be unable to attend the wake.

Dave

June 8, 2021

Fishing, boating, throwing back a beer, scouting geologic maps. His mind on business, His heart of the Earth. Very cool guy! Condolences to all.

Daniel Midlik

June 8, 2021

My name is Dan midlik Jr I worked for Richard from 1996 to2011 as caretaker at RIGRTONA airport in tidioute,pa. In that entire time . in that entire time Richard always treated me as an equal.showing me how to be blessed in any area of employment I chose to pursue. I continue to be blessed in the workplace to this day from what Rick showed me. Truly a man of vision...dan

Jody H.

June 8, 2021

A great man and friend who always had me laughing. Thanks for all the great memories my friend. Rest easy in paradise.

Beth and Ray

June 8, 2021

What a legend.. just like his father..!!! Only fond memories of a magnificent man.. ❤

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Sign Richard Osborne's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 28, 2025

Nick Vukcevic posted to the memorial.

June 13, 2021

Jeannie Mcpeek posted to the memorial.

June 11, 2021

Doug Lewis posted to the memorial.