Richard Vicario

Richard J. Vicario, 87, died Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Logan Acres Care Center, Bellefontaine.

He was born on January 30, 1929, the son of the late Charles and Mary (Cira) Vicario in Bellefontaine. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Timothy Vicario in 1989, three brothers, Salvatore “Sam”, Charles William “Bill”, and Jacob A. “Jake” Vicario, and a sister, Angelina “Ange” Rose Vicario.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanne (Henry) Vicario, two daughters, Diana (Mike) Hawkey and Vicki (Charley) Marlow, both of Bellefontaine, four grandchildren; Chris (Carol) Marlow of Bellefontaine, Scott (Darcy) Marlow of Huntsville, Jamie (Sarah) Marlow of Dayton, and Casey (Ryan) King of Bellefontaine, and three great grandchildren, Taylor Manahan, Hannah Marlow, and Zander Little and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dick first worked as a Bellefontaine Police Officer in 1953 before continuing his father’s business, Vicario Shoe Repair, which later became Vicario’s Shoe Center. In 1968, he, along with two partners purchased the Holland Theatre. He began Vicario’s Pizza in 1978 and Vicario Telecommunications in 1985.

He had served as a Bellefontaine City Councilman 1964 to 1968, and then was the Mayor of Bellefontaine for 14 years, 1983 to 1996 and served as the President of Council. He was a life-long member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bellefontaine and was also a member of St. Mary of the Woods, Russells Point.

His extensive community involvement included serving as a chairman for the Heart Association, Red Cross Disaster, Downtown Betterment Assoc., Jimmy Kinchen Fund, and former President of the United Way. He was also a former director for the Chamber of Commerce, Police Pension Board, Logan County Health Board, American Red Cross, Huntington National Bank director, and helped lead the committee to establish the new municipal airport. He was elected president of the Logan County Mayor’s Assn three terms and served on the Bellefontaine and Republican Executive Planning Commissions.

Dick belonged to the Elk’s Lodge, and was the 1996 Elk’s Club Distinguished Citizen, Kiwanis Club, which he was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1996, Eagle’s Lodge, Knights of Columbus Council, Logan County History Center, and was an honorary member of both the VFW and AMVETS. He was the 1989 recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the U.S. Congress,, 1989 Special Olympics Service Award, and in 1995 the Chamber of Commerce Leadership and Lifetime Honorary Membership Award. He received an Honorary Bachelor Degree from Urbana University in 1995.

Father Kenneth Baker will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bellefontaine. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 321 N. Main St. Bellefontaine. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine assisted the family with arrangements.

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