MANSFIELD: “Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people.” George Washington’s letter to Marquis de LaFayette on January 29, 1789 seemed to foretell the life of Dick Shasky. Like Washington, Dick was a good leader, concerned with his legacy, patriotic, and a wise teacher.
A caring and loving man, Dick was ushered into the Lord’s presence Tuesday evening from the emergency room of Ohio Health Mansfield. He was 80.
Born Richard Lee Shasky on June 29, 1944 in Mansfield to parents Chester K. and Vivian L. (Sunnucks) Shasky, he was graduated from Mansfield Senior High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Ashland University.
A three-year US Navy veteran, Dick served aboard the USS Allagash, a Cimarron-class oiler, a fuel and munitions supplier ship.
His Navy voyages gave him wanderlust – a thirst for travel that remained with Dick his whole life. He traveled extensively through the states, and much of Europe. Favored destinations were the rivers of Europe, the great west of the US, Alaska and Hawaii. His passion for travel included six planned trips for the coming summer season.
Favored destinations were battlefields, president’s homes, and other historic sites. Every notable location was worth learning about – and Dick did his research – and shared his knowledge, along with the importance of the site, the politics behind it, and political ramifications and consequences of the events there. Dick was a teacher of the practical – every task was a reason for a life lesson.
A former member of Mansfield City Schools Board of Education, he was active in Senior High Tygers Boosters, and attended Mosaic Mansfield.
Remembered for his generosity and dependability, Dick was faithful and patriotic. Early this month he wrote a letter to President Trump requesting a new law, citing a choice made by an Olympics flag bearer in 1908, “that our flag dips to no earthly king at anytime.” Dick was passionate about patriotism.
He is survived by his wife Louella (Crawford) Hershner Shasky, whom he married March 22, 2015; his son Nicholas Shasky of Marion; twin grandsons whom he adored Cooper Shasky and Maddox Shasky; stepdaughters Vicky (Edgar) Trent, Rebecca Fraley, and Lisa (Marc) Sleeckx; step-grandchildren Joshua Fraley, Justin Fraley, Joseph Fraley, and Marc Sleeckx, Jr; ten step-great-grandchildren (and one on the way); a brother Darce (Shirley) Shasky of Lexington; nephews Mike Shasky, John Shasky, and Steve Shasky, and niece Laurie Leedy.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Carol Ann (Portz) Shasky on March 22, 2015. Also deceased is a brother Jerry Shasky.
A worship service, giving glory to God for the life of Richard Shasky will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 11 a.m. in Mosaic Mansfield, 296 Park Avenue West, Mansfield. Pastor Tony Pingitore and Dick’s nephew Michael Hershner will officiate. Interment will be in Mansfield Cemetery. Friends may call on the family immediately after the service. The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Mosaic Mansfield may be made at the service.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Shasky family. Share a message of support with them, and watch Dick’s tribute video – online – at: Snyder Funeral Homes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home Lexington Avenue Chapel
Website: SnyderFuneralHomes.com