Richard W. Thorpe, Sr.

Richard “Rich” Wayne Thorpe, Sr., 75, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away January 30th, 2024, due to the devastating consequences of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed at age 15. Over the years he had numerous surgeries to fight this disease that eventually overpowered him. God said that his suffering was over and ushered him home.

He met the love of his life, Janice Kane in 1968 at the “Library” and said that he knew he wanted to marry her on the second date. He was a convert to the Catholic faith in 1969, having received his instructions from Father Henry Lileas. They married June 24, 1970 at St. Brendan’s Church. Rich was a former member of St. Brendan’s in Youngstown, Ohio and a 42 year member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Rich was a PADI certified scuba diver and instructor in his early years having worked in his family’s business, Morrow’s Underwater Sport Shop. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1967. His solid brass lamp that he made in high school won accolades and a picture of the lamp was featured in the Youngstown Vindicator.

Rich was a 1977 graduate of Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was a retail store manager in the Youngstown and Cleveland area before health issues prevailed.

He always said there was nothing better than a Youngstown pizza and a ride through Mill Creek Park.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 53 and a half years, Janice; his son, Richard Jr. (Terra); and his daughter, Anna Schenher (Corey). He was the proud Papa to his ‘bestie” Avery and grandson Isiah, and Sabrina and her children Landen, Liam and Cameron. And he leaves his best friends of 56 years, Angelo and Sandee Colapietro; his godson, Bob (Kelly) Colapietro; his goddaughter, Karen (Dr. Tom) Truong; and his lifetime best friend, Bill Theiss.

Rich was preceded in death by his father, Burton Thorpe; his mother, June (Morrow) Thorpe; and his brother, Jeffrey.

All are welcome to visitation at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 9-10 a.m. His funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 104 W Broadway Street, Maumee, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists who cared for Rich. Toledo Hospital Rocks!

Any donations made out to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Rich’s name will be greatly appreciated by his family.