Richard Masin

RICHARD LOUIS MASIN, of Vermilion OHIO, left this world, January 30, 2026, following 100 years of an amazing Life and is joining his beautiful bride, Eleanor Masin in heaven.

Beginning life in post WWI, Lorain, OH, on April 29, 1925, just in time for The Great Depression. The son of Louis; a “jack-of-all-trades” auto mechanic/shop owner, outdoorsman adventurer and Irene; an Artist/dressmaker, , untrained chef, “Ricky” graduated from Lorain High in 1942.

At 17 he enlisted in the US NAVY Feb.16, 1943 to serve in WORLD WAR II and was sent to the South Pacific as a MoMM3c (motor mac) aboard the “USS ALNITAH” (Liberty ship converted to a troop carrier). Richard left the ALNITAH 18 months later for pilot training after 79,497 miles,completed 34 missions, contacted 51 different ports, transported 29,972 passengers, carried 36,399 tons of cargo and 15,166 bags of mail. He crossed the equator, northbound and southbound 8 times, crossed the International Date Line, eastbound and westbound 12 times. The war ended Aug. 14, 1945. Not having enough points to be discharged(!) Even though the war was over, Rich was sent back to Sasbo, Japan, arriving Nov. 20, 1945, assigned to “USS PHANTOM”, a mine sweeper. Christmas 1945 found 20 year old Rich aboard ship, in Shanghai, China. The USS PHANTOM swept over 250 mines before heading back to the states arriving Feb.18 1946.

Utilizing his GI Bill, he enrolled at Kent State University where he became a member of the first KSU men’s gymnastics team. Here he met Eleanor Reilly, also an educator. They graduated in 1948.

Along with his Dad & 2 buddies, Rich set out on a cross country adventure driving from Lorain to the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, the possibility of homesteading on the Alaskan frontier was explored and (thankfully) abandoned after 3 months (when it snowed on Aug. 22(!)… he returned to Lorain and Eleanor. Richard and Eleanor married in Jan. 1949. Together, they built (with their own hands) their home in Vermilion and raised 7 children on a small farm, where they grew most of their own food.

In 1949 he began teaching and coaching football at Clearview High School and then at Sandusky Perkins. The needs of his growing family drew him to more lucrative careers as; a draftsman at the engineering firm, R.E. WARNER AND ASSOCIATES in Lorain, OH, and then as a project manager for Huron area Home Builder Keystone Homes.

His love of teaching and having time to raise his kids drew him to Vermilion High School in 1957. Summer breaks found him building area homes and traveling with his growing family via Volkswagen bus, hauling a trailer with army surplus tents and camping gear, from Canada to Florida, and many points in between.

His 25-year teaching career at VHS was eventful, memorable and inspirational. He taught industrial arts, mechanical drawing, blue-print making, metal and wood shop. In his shops, many noteworthy projects were dreamed up and built, but more importantly, many careers were launched and lives redirected. Along with confidence, he taught his students how to use tools, draft and make blue prints of houses and buildings, and design and make furniture. Among the many memorable projects were, grandfather clocks, four poster beds, gun racks, even a pool table replete with slate top. His students won many awards through the Scholastic arts and other programs, and at least 2 state champions in a National home building and design competition. Additionally, his advanced placement students built and permanently installed two 8 foot high geodesic domes. One still stands on the playground of (former) Vermilion's Lake School Elementary in VOL; the other was for Valley View Elementary School circa 1971. Rich’s classes were called upon to create the blueprints for Ritter Public Library at the time of the renovation.

Possibly the most memorable and challenging project he and his students undertook, was to plan for and install seating and lighting for the then “new" Vermilion High School stadium, while it was under construction in 1967. A field trip for his classes to a racetrack in Norwalk had students measuring and dismantling the stadium there and transporting and reconstructing it on the VHS site. From drafting and drawing, to pouring the concrete footers, and to bolting everything in place, he supervised this extensive student and community project.

Enroute to his Master Degree from KSU, in the summer of 1969 he moved his family of 9 to Tallahassee, FL to attend Florida State University on scholarship for an intensive industrial arts forum sponsored by NASA. Subsequently, he was named VHS Department Head, where he spearheaded a department expansion so extensive, it necessitated an addition be built onto VHS. With colleague Dan Young, they attended a government auction and acquired wood and metal lathes, ban saw, planer, metal forge and foundry, among other massive machinery, creating an unprecedented shop curriculum unlike any high school in the area at that time... nor since. When operational, his INDUSTRIAL ARTS department included 6 teachers and encompassed the entirety of the north end of VHS.

Other notable “projects” he took on at VHS included guiding musical set design and construction by his students for all the annual musicals from 1969 until the late ‘70’s, including a sprawling fanned out staircase for HELLO DOLLY and a lighted runway that went out, over the auditorium seating! He also initiated Ski Club at VHS in 1967 for which he was the advisor for many years, as well he was for the student council.

Throughout the years, Richard was honored multiple times by many organizations including, Teacher of the Year for NE Ohio by The Lorain Journal 1968, VHS Hall of Fame 2018, but his most notable honors came in the form of visits from his former students, many now professionals in the areas of architecture, engineering, building contractors, and teachers. They shared with him how valuable the skills and lessons he taught them had been throughout their lives and how "they use what he taught them, every single day!”. He loved to see and hear from his former students, and "being embarrassed" by their enthusiastic appreciation.

He was a member of The Vermilion Boat Club and owned the 19ft sailboat “ALNITAH” that he salvaged from the flood of 1969, and taught all of his family how to sail and enjoy Lake Erie. He was an active member of The Vermilion Teachers Association, of which he served as President in the 1970s, NEOTA North East Ohio Teacher Association. He was also instrumental in the 1974 renovation of St. Mary’s Church where he was a member for over 30 years.

Following retirement from teaching in 1981, MR. MASIN became a public servant for the city of Vermilion as the city Building Inspector. He was instrumental in securing one of the first permanent art installations in Vermilion. "SAILS", a large concrete sculpture, which is located in Sherod park circa 1985. Rich and his wife El also became realtors. They built a home in Vermilion's historic district in which to enjoy their golden years, as well as a home at Brook-to- Bay in Englewood,FL. Both homes found him welcoming his many grandchildren. Teaching them so many skills, doing projects, playing games, sailing, fishing, and sharing his many tales, in his endearing and engaging way, that always made them return for more “Bumpa” time.

Richard departs this Life having provided substantial and loving roots and wings, (and a beloved waffle making tradition), to his 7 children who miss his gentle guidance dearly; Dr. RICHARD (Jennifer) of Vermilion, BARRY (Peggy) of Lorain, DALE (Connie) of Lebanon, OH, MAUREEN (Paul) Decker Cordes of Scottsdale, AZ, KATHY (Ken) Humphrey Larson, of Louisville, CO, JEANIE Masin Leonardo of Vermilion, SEAN (Wendy) of Ponca, NE. Grandchildren; Megan McCostlin, Kate Kane, Devon Masin, Ashley Masin-Pusey, Barry and Jack Masin, Ryan, Jesse and Scott Masin, Erin Decker-Root, Rich Decker, Masin Decker, Ellynn Decker-O’Rourke. Kaleigh and Reilly Humphrey. JoeMack, Christiana, Cavan and Mackina Leonardo. Josh, Jake, Max and Paul Masin, their wonderful spouses and 21 Great Grandchildren, Dillon & Vivian McCostlin, Beckham & Corrine Kane, Jordan & Wesley Masin-Pusey, Henry Masin, Rowan, Elyse, Braddock & Maeve Masin, Theo Masin, Beau & Gabe Masin, Decklan & Davan Decker-Root, Erin Patrice Decker, Avery Decker, Conrad Decker O’Rourke, Dallyn Masin, plus 2 more on the way. His best friend, dance partner, and baby sister, Mary Lou Trexler of Akron, Ohio, beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and students.

He is awaited upon arrival by; his wife of 61 years Eleanor (Reilly) Masin, his parents, Louis “Lize” and Irene (Butchko) Masin of Lorain, Ohio and infant grandson Christopher Masin-Pusey.

A celebration of his wonderful life will take place at a later date this summer.

In Rich’s famous words,

“Well, that’s enough about that…”

“Always remember to measure twice, cut once”…

And smile!

Online condolences may be shared at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.