Fredrick Marc Medich

Nov. 16, 1948 - Sept. 26, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Fredrick Marc "Ricky Joe" Medich, 60, died Saturday in Memorial Hospital after a short bout with cancer. He is survived by his loving mother, Bea Medich of South Bend; two sisters, Judy (John) Gish and Cindy Medich, both of South Bend; two nephews, Jeff Gish of Osceola, Indiana, and Joe (Julie) Gish of Chino Hills, CA; a great-niece, Brenna Gish, and a great-nephew, Jonathan Gish. Ricky Joe was preceded in death by his father, Fred Medich, and paternal and maternal grandparents. Rick's life was filled with his deep love and devotion to his family, and his love for music and the game of golf. He began guitar lessons at the age of eight and continued through high school during which time he was the lead singer of Illusions. During his college years he was the lead singer with the Shags of Notre Dame. After college he served his country in the Army National Guard but never lost his love of music and went on to become an entertainer by profession. As a single entertainer he played a twelve-string guitar and sang all over the country. In September 1979, in Tampa, Florida, he raised money for the Jerry Lewis Telethon for MS by singing and playing the guitar for 135 hours and 30 minutes to set a Guinness Book of World Records which he held for several months. Rick continued to entertain the rest of his life, but in the early eighties he gave up his love of traveling to come back to South Bend to help his sisters with CJ's Pub. Rick was the driving force of CJ's success by not only coming up with the recipe for their famous Super Pub Burgers but providing the entertainment for countless patrons. As a young child he started playing golf and became an avid golfer for his entire life. Rick was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, and was teamed with Davis Love whom Rick out drove one hole playing at the professional tees. Rick also was very fortunate to be able to play St. Andrew's in Scotland, and not only shot par, but birdied the 18th hole from the professional tees. Rick will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends as he was a remarkable man and has left emptiness in the hearts of so many. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009, in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Avenue. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family and friends may call one hour prior to services in the funeral home. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website www.zahoran.com. The family has requested no flowers.