Richard M. "Rick" Osborne Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard M. “Rick” Osborne Sr. 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 airstrip, 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

Richard M. "Rick" Osborne Sr.

September 22, 1945 - June 4, 2021