Richard Charles Rainey

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Rowland and Anne, his older brother Bob, and aunts, uncles, and grandparents on the Rainey and Kintner sides of the family.

Survived by his younger Brother and lifelong pal Jon (Peggy), Sister-in-law Denise Rainey, Cousin Anne Jennings, Nieces Beth Rainey, Katie Badertscher (Aaron), Jenna Hayes (Doug), and Nephew Scott (Erica) along with their respective children.

Loving friends include Terry McDonnell, John Yusco, Kate DuPuis, Pete Accorti, Roger Guttschmidt, Bob Stewart, the late Randy Stark, Harold Zak, and countless others.

Likewise, Dick really loved his friends from Rini’s Stop-N-Shop in North Olmsted, the Ron Hummel and Maryann Kelly gang of friends, Giant Eagle, Talan Products, West 226 Street, Fairview High School, Fairview Park in general and his mailman Andrew, who Dick lovingly called “The Bearded One” and looked forward to seeing every day. His friends were from all over the country, including California and Hawaii.

Dick made friends easily everywhere he went. Starting a conversation with a stranger often led to another new friendship.

He loved things that were fast, made lots of noise, or both like his ‘63 Chevy Impala Super Sport 327, his ‘69 Dodge Coronet 440 R/T, his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and buying illegal fireworks from Toledo back in the day. The louder the M80 or cherry bomb the better.

Dick was an avid boxing fan and trained as an amateur in his teens, later spending his own money on gear to introduce the sport to neighborhood kids when he was living in Cleveland. One of his greatest idols was Muhammad Ali, whom he admired as both an athlete and as a human being. He also loved the comedians George Burns, Don Rickles and Woody Allen, along with tough guys like Clint Eastwood, Clint Walker and Steve McQueen. He watched the movies Dirty Harry and Bullitt over and over, as well as Seinfeld and South Park reruns. The Dodge Charger in the movie Bullitt was very similar in style and horsepower to Dick’s Dodge R/T.

If you’ve never heard of the comedian Rocky LaPorte, do yourself a favor and google one of his acts- they are hilarious and (mostly) clean. Dick went to see him live several times and had his CD “Who Knew”, which he listened to regularly.

Dick purchased a Santa Claus suit many years ago and loved dropping in on his nieces, nephews and others with surprise visits at Christmas time.

His working years included positions in both the grocery and printing businesses, but Dick’s true lifelong passion was nature and its creatures. He provided a warm, loving home to numerous homeless dogs and cats over the years, often naming them after the streets where he rescued them, including Fulton and Robert. His last dog was a senior dog nobody else wanted, that he named Grandma. Dick went to great lengths and expense to make her final years comfortable.

Dick also made sure all the outdoor creatures in his neighborhood were well cared for, and his backyard was his favorite outdoor spot in the world where he could watch deer, squirrels, birds, possums, and groundhogs enjoy the food and water he faithfully put out for them on the coldest nights or hottest days. Even as a kid, he would make sure no ants were stepped on or spiders crushed, as he loved them all.

The family is very grateful for the extraordinary care provided by members of the Cleveland Clinic, including the compassion shown by his Primary Care Provider, Patricia Gannon, who had lovingly cared for Dick for many years.

He was also very well served by Fairview Park Meals on Wheels.

At Dick’s request, no visitation or services will be held.

His fervent wish was that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to The Cleveland APL, the ASPCA, St. Herman House -FOCUS in Cleveland or The Wounded Warriors Project. Dick contributed generously to all these charities and countless more, often putting them ahead of any creature comforts for himself.

Please follow Dick’s example and tell your family and loved ones that you love them as often as possible.