Obituary of Richard Frank DeVitis

STOW - Richard Frank DeVitis, born August 13, 1950, left our lives December 31, 2021, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Richard, (Dickie), was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Catherine DeVitis and Jean DeVitis; sister, Deborah Sines Acker, and nephew, Josh Sines. He is survived by his lifelong love and wife, Deborah Huber DeVitis; son, Michael (Shauna) DeVitis; Barbara DeVitis, and grandchildren, Tyler (Audrey), Bryan DeVitis, Torri (Jonathon) Krusnski, and Austin Bair. Richard's life adventures began on North Hill, where he was well known and loved. He worked at the family store, DeVitis & Sons Italian Market, through high school. Upon graduation, he joined the Marines and served in Vietnam. When he returned from the war, Richard, together with his family, ventured to Sheep Ranch, California, where he worked in the logging and construction trades. It was on a ranch in San Andreas that Richard developed his love of raising cattle and other animals. He went from rancher to farmer when his family moved to Lewisville, Ohio, where on his beloved farm, he raised cattle, pigs, a horse, and chickens; and became an avid hunter. He and his wife also enjoyed many days fishing Seneca Lake, where they met lifelong friends. Richard spent his Lewisville years as a union laborer, retiring from Marietta Local 639. Continuing his journey and his love of fishing, Richard wintered in Port Charlotte, Florida. There he met his fisherman friends, who shared his love of the Gulf waters and adventures on his boat. While in Ohio in the summer months, he frequented Lake Erie, West Branch, and Mosquito Lake. Richard leaves behind his brother, Don DeVitis; sister, Dyna (Phil) Sparks; Uncle Angelo; aunts, Janet DeVitis and Evelyn Rodenberger; cousins, Linda, Robert, David, Danny, Laura, Tony, Kurtis, Karen, Penny, Eddie, and Sheila; brother-in-law, William Huber; and sisters-in-law, Cathy (Ron) Laubaugh, Billie Jean Billups, and Ann (Dee) Manuselis. Richard is also survived by nieces, Kelly, Deanna, Jessica, Melissa W., Shawn, Megan, Beth, and Melissa; nephews, Carlos, Jarred, Matthew, Nick, Frank, Joseph, and Vincent; second sons, Santino and Josef DiFrangia; and old, dear friends, John Salustro, Mike Racano, Jeff Chandler, Mark Collins, Roger and Debbie Haney, John and Nancy DeMoss, Jim and Martha Case, Elton and Margaret Miller, and Bill and Bonnie Beal, Ken and Chris Brown. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, 5:00 PM, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, where friends may call from 2:00 PM until service time. Masks are required. Interment Crown Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192, and to the family to be forwarded to the Stow Firefighter's Local in Richard's memory.