Richard J. Rano

Richard Joseph Rano, father, grandfather, great grandfather, veteran and friend to all, age 89, passed peacefully on Saturday, June 10, 2023, and is now reunited with his wife of 66 years, Donna, in heaven. Richard was born in Hibbing, MN on November 7th, 1933 to Richard and Lillian. His siblings were Dennis and Caroline Rano/Charlie and Karen Howell. Affectionately known to family and friends, "Dick" met Donna in 10th grade English class at Hibbing High School where it was Donna who asked Dick to their first dance. Dick joined the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1955 and proudly served until January 1959 in Concord, CA. Through the GI Bill, Dick earned both his Bachelor's in Education and Master's Degree in Parks and Recreation from the University of Minnesota in 1961. In 1966, he was hired to become the first full-time Parks and Recreation Director of Westerville, a town of just 7500 residents with only a few parks at the time. He dedicated his accomplished career, which spanned over 30 years, to grow and beautify city parks, and enhance recreation opportunities for all ages by working together with generous residents and city officials to build an award-winning parks program in Westerville, one of the most desired cities in America! His progressive, creative, and innovative ideas are seen in Highland Parks Aquatic Center, Hoff Woods, Metzger Park, Everal Barn, and the first Senior Center where he started the Senior Golf League to name a few. His department was a proud recipient of multiple Gold Medal Awards and Tree City USA honors. He often became emotional when so many community members would take the time to thank him for all he did to improve the city parks and their own lives.
The Rano family would like to thank Tom Bay, former City Manager of Westerville for hiring our Dad back in 1966 which provided us an amazing childhood and quality of life we all enjoy today. We also want to thank the wonderful and caring staff at The Landings of Westerville where our Dad spent the last month of his life before succumbing to a rare form of bone cancer, angiosarcoma. We will miss our Dad's warm smile, hugs, morning greeting of "Buongiorno!", many life lessons, and his inspiring stories. His presence will be missed by all who knew him. He loved his family, and his church community at St Paul The Apostle Catholic Parish where he coached middle school boys golf and he loved the game of golf where he beat his age at least 6 times in retirement. He was a loyal Westerville South Boys Basketball fan, a proud Italian American enjoying many trips to Italy as well as other world adventures. He loved his fellow bocce teammates, and pasta and meatballs. He was honored to be a part of Westerville Rotary Club, Sons of Italy, the Abruzzi Club, and serving as HOA President of Highland Lakes South.
Our father's bright light will shine forever in our hearts and live on through his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he adored. Our Dad dedicated his life trying to help others enjoy theirs. Richard leaves behind his 6 loving children, Gary (Johnna), Christopher, Dennis, Michele (Edward) Calo, Linda (J) Jonard and Rick (Tess); 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with one on the way in 2024; his sisters-in-law, Phil and Michele (Bernie), brother-in-law, Mickey (Santina), nieces, nephews, and dear friends. We are filled with comfort, joy, and peace that our parents are together again for eternity.
Please join us this Friday, June 16th at Moreland Funeral Home, 55 East Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. for calling hours. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 N. State Street, Westerville at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17th with a short visitation for those who wish to stop in the church lobby/parlor from 9:00 to 9:50 a.m. Burial to follow at the Resurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center, OH. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation instead to the Westerville Parks Foundation to ensure parks and recreation programs will thrive for generations to come. WestervilleParksFoundation.org or make a donation to help children through The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation at brianmuhafoundation.org