Richard Ashline

Richard Allen Ashline, Sr., 78, passed away peacefully on January 21, at the Village of St. Edward in Fairlawn.

Richard was born in Springfield, Mass. on May 15, 1947 and had been an Akron resident since the 1970's. Richard worked for the Catholic Diocese for 40 years, over 20 of which were at St. Hilary Catholic Church, retiring in 2013. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Church.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen; his son Richard Jr. (Katie); step-grandchildren Olivia & Cacie; brother Norman Ashline; sisters-in-law Rita Lavery & Bernadine Doyle, along with many nieces & nephews, many friends & acquaintances, and many staff members of The Village of St. Edward's in Fairlawn.

Richard was a living example of how God carries the faithful through this world. Deaf, raised in a neglected childhood, and left to navigate adulthood on his own, he faced hardships that many could not imagine. During a season of homelessness, he was found sitting on the steps of the Newman Center on the University of Akron campus by Rev. Thomas Dunphy. From that moment on, Father Dunphy became Richard's mentor, best friend, and the father figure he had never known.

Through the blessed hands of Father Dunphy, Richard was given a custodial position, taught how to drive, and was eventually able to obtain his own apartment and vehicle. These life-changing opportunities transformed his journey and gave him stability, dignity, and hope.

Richard loved to make people smile. Everywhere he went, he tried to bring joy through humor, joking, and gentle teasing. He was deeply cherished by many, known among colleagues as an incredibly hard worker, and remembered by others as a uniquely kind soul with remarkable purity of heart.

It is obvious to all that were close to him that God created Richard to be a living testimony through his perseverance, humility, and joy. In the way he trusted others despite hardship, found humor in everyday moments, and worked faithfully without seeking recognition, Richard reflected God's presence to everyone around him. His life showed that God never abandons the overlooked, that a Savior meets us exactly where we are, and that even the most uncertain paths are gently aligned by God's grace into a story of purpose, belonging, and love.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 29, 11:00 am, with the family receiving friends for one hour prior at St. Hilary Catholic Church 2750 W Market St, Fairlawn. A private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.