Richard " Bird " Ellashek

Richard H. “ Bird” Ellashek Jr., 69, passed away on March 22, 2017, at the Hospice House.

Richard was born November 4, 1947, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late Richard H. Ellashek Sr. and late Antonette ( Taormina ) Ellashek.

Richard graduated from South High School in 1965. As a class member, he served his graduating class by helping organize each of their class reunions.

He served his country with the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran serving in 1968 and 1969. He was a member of the Americal Division, company 5th Battalion, 46th infantry, 198th infantry brigade. During his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star.

He was well respected in the business community, and continued to serve as a resource for family and friends often using his connections to help people in need. With extensive broker and provider experience and knowledge in sales of health insurance products for over twenty-seven years, he was an account executive with such companies as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shields, Health America and R. Kashmiry and Associates, Inc. He also was an advertising specialties sales consultant for General Graphics.

Richard enjoyed travel, photography and bowling; but, his real passion was golf.  He was a member of Sigma Club and its golf league since 1979 and the official photographer for many club events.

Richard was a loving husband, brother, uncle, son-in-law, and godfather and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.  He leaves his wife, the former Linda L. DeMoss, whom he married on June 19, 1976; brother Donald (Cindy) Ellashek of Austintown; sister Deborah (Michael) Mondora of Youngstown; sisters-in-law Margaret (Thomas) Ellashek of Struthers and Terry (Robert) Begala of Canfield; and father-in-law, Edward K. DeMoss of Poland.

He also leaves to cherish his memory, nieces Megan Ellashek, Danielle Jones, Kimberly Begala, Katie Begala; nephews, Thomas P. Ellashek, Donald A. (Lori) Ellashek, Bradley Mondora, Nicholas Mondora; great-nieces, Victoria Jones, Ava Ellashek; and great-nephews, Evan Jones and Ayden Ellashek.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas F. Ellashek of Struthers; and mother-in-law, Lucille G. DeMoss of Poland.

A private service, officiated by Pastor Mark Nelson, was held at the Austintown Community Church.

Richard will be missed for his friendship, his leadership, his intentionality, and the way he served others with his time, attention, and love.

Family, friends and colleagues are invited to share memories and to honor Richard on Friday, April 28th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kenneth F. McMahon Hall at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield, State Route 46, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield, Ohio.  A military honors ceremony will be held at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may take the form of contributions to Hospice of the Valley or Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc., and mailed to 2226 Venloe Drive, Poland, Ohio  44514.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary
and send condolences.

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