Richard Ames

Richard Procter Ames 1935-2011 Rick, a 36-year resident of Camarillo, died peacefully on September 3, 2011. A 4th generation native son, Rick was born and raised in San Mateo, attended St. Catherine's School and Serra High School. Although he contracted polio at age 19 spending the remainder of his rich life wheelchair-bound, Rick lived a life of grace, dignity and humor and was a source of great inspiration to others. He studied at San Francisco State University and University of California earning masters degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Social Work. While working at Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, he met and married Julie Shasky, and later moved to Camarillo in 1975. He established the Department of Social Services at St. John's Hospital in Oxnard and founded and developed Mercy Hospice, the first hospital-based hospice in California. In addition, he collaborated with the Visiting Nurses Association establishing their Hospice program. Rick retired from St. John's Hospital in 1985 due to Post-Polio Syndrome. Later, Rick co-founded the Simi Valley Post Polio Support Group. He was named handicapped citizen of the year for Ventura County and received the Mercy Award from St. John's Hospital and the Florence Charleston Award from Catholic Charities Oasis. He was actively involved in Marriage Encounter and was a Mercy Associate. He is survived by his wife, Julie, of 41 years, Dr. David Ames (Onalee Hawkins), Christopher Ames (Lacey Edgren), Mary Ames (Brad Benkey), Sarah Ames (Jayson Celebrado), Billy and Jenny Franz, his "brotherly" caregiver Yeoman Edrada, and five grandchildren. Rick is also survived by his sisters Patricia Avery, Alice Morison Hewitt, Kate Ames and a brother Thomas Ames, and many nieces and nephews. The family is very appreciative to the staff at Assisted Home Hospice for their excellent care during the past 14 months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Sisters, Servants of Mary, 140 North G St., Oxnard, CA 93030, who minister to the sick and provide respite care for families.