Richard Mason

Richard Edgar Mason, a faithful Catholic, member of St. Patrick Church, and a long time resident of Columbus, Ohio passed into Eternal Life on July 2, 2021. Richard was born June 20, 1944 in Bethesda, MD the son of Ed and Helen Mason who precedes him in death. Ed Mason was a devoted FBI agent whose service required the family to make frequent moves.

When Richard’s father was assigned to the Boston, MA field office, his parents helped ensure Richard reached his greatest potential. During the school year Richard would board at St. Coletta School of Greater Washington whose motto, Seeing Possibilities Beyond Disabilities, is realized in the school’s mission of serving children with disabilities. The sister of President John F. Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, was also an alumna of St. Coletta’s. It was in Boston that Richard was confirmed in the Catholic faith by Richard Cardinal Cushing.

Richard’s childhood homes included Miami, FL, Los Angeles, CA, and Savanna, GA with the family eventually settling in Cincinnati. Here Richard attended Roger Bacon High School named after Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar and English philosopher who emphasized empiricalism and is known to be one of the earliest advocates of the Scientific Method. It was at RBHS that Richard found his educational niche and graduated with his class in 1965. Richard remained a faithful alumnus of RBHS for the rest of his life and attended reunions and various events of his Alma mater.  

Eventually the family moved to Columbus and Richard began a 30+ career working in the mail room at Columbus’ DCSC. At the age of 31, Richard decided to leave the nest and, with the gentle guiding hand of his parents and sister, moved into his own apartment. Richard loved his independence and freedom and seldom believed he had limits on his abilities, nor did Richard allow his disabilities to hinder what he wanted to do except for driving a car. When asked if he wanted to drive a car, Richard replied only if the one asking him wanted their car driven into a tree as he was pretty sure car would have a mind of its own.

Richard was a baseball aficionado and followed closely the Clippers, Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Richard loved to read books and newspapers especially the sports page.

Richard’s philosophy was to live life to its fullest which was reflected in his desire to serve others with zeal and commitment. Whether at work, church, or his many other volunteer activities, Richard found a deep sense of fulfillment.

Richard joined the Knights of Columbus in May 1970. He was a 15+ year member of St. Patrick’s Council 11207 of the Knights of Columbus and since 2010 he had been elected each successive year to serve as either Warden, Inside or Outside Guard. Richard volunteered at the Council’s pizza sales, Lenten Fish Fries, and helped Matt Jivanjee run the Red Cross blood drives.

After Richard’s retirement from DCSC he increased his volunteering activities. His desire to serve others included being a faithful Sir Knight for over forty years as a member of Assembly 809. Whenever an Honor Guard was requested, Richard willingly served in full regalia, the same regalia he will be buried in.

Richard lived his Catholic faith and belief in the Beatitudes by serving at St. Patrick’s and beyond its parish’s boundaries. For many years he helped St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church set up for their parish festivals and served two terms as their Council’s Grand Knight. At Christ King he volunteered in numerous ways, served at St. Philip parish for several years as a lector, and served at the Bishop Griffin Center and Food Pantry on E. Livingston Ave. helping the needy. Richard was also involved in Whitehall Little League baseball teams as well neighboring leagues.

Richard found time in his busy life to assist at Broadleigh Elementary as a tutor reading to 1st grade students. For many many years Richard served the Northland High School as the football team’s equipment manager. Richard met Pastor Eric Moering of Faith Lutheran Church in Whitehall and they became good friends. His faithful driver, Jane Ahrens, would give Richard a ride to the church so he could volunteer in setting up their Vacation Bible School.

Richard loved parades and walked in and assisted in Whitehall’s 4th of July parade as well as the annual St. Patrick parade in Columbus stepping off wearing the traditional Knights of Columbus 4th Degree regalia. First Congregational Church ‘s Bethlehem on Broad outreach to the needy on Christmas Day, Christmas morning would find Richard faithfully answering the phones of the needy who requested a Christmas dinner to be delivered to their home.

Richard had a great love for Myrtle Beach and the several times his friend took him on vacation, Richard enjoyed helicopter rides, deep sea fishing and to a lesser extent parasailing and riding the Sky Wheel on The Strand.

Richard is survived by his sister Carol Tobin (Tom), and niece Traci Marcum (David) and great nephew Alex Marcum (Morgan).  Richard had numerous friends including Robert and Jennifer McGonigle and their family, Joey Sullivan, Joe Becknell, fellow members of the Knights of Columbus, Susan Livingston and Patti Phillips, parish secretaries at St. Patrick’s, his numerous brother Knights, and many more too numerous to name.

Visitation at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home 403 East Broad Street Thursday July 8, 2021 where family will receive friends from 4 to 7pm. Richard’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church 280 N. Grant Ave at 10am with one hour of visitation at the church. Celebrant will be Father Stephen Dominic Hayes, OP. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Pataskala, OH. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Little Margaret’s Charity at St. Patrick Church which like Richard extends a hand to those in need.

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