Richard J. "Ace" Versace, 77, United Steelworkers Union Rep & Grievance Man

He was born August 12, 1929 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Ace served with the US Air Force during the Korean War as an Airman First Class and later as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator.

He worked at US Steel as a shipping coordinator for 41 years retiring in 1994. He was very active with United Steelworkers Local #1104 serving as a union rep for over 20 years and as chairman of the grievance committee for 9 years. He was also a member and chairperson of SOAR.

Ace was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, Italian-American Veterans Post #1, Veterans of Foreign Wars #451, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #20, Moose Lodge #552, Knights of Columbus Council #637 and the Fraternal Order of Police, all of Lorain, American Legion #118, AMVETS #22 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1442, all of Amherst.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, traveling to Las Vegas, golf, fishing and bowling.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years Connie (nee Dongarra), daughter Cris Board of Amherst, son Rick Versace, Jr. of North Carolina, grandchildren Alex Board, Adam Board and Jake Board, all of Amherst and brother Dan Versace of South Amherst. He was preceded in death by his parents Agostino and Mary Versace (nee Maddulan) and brother Joseph Versace.

The family will receive friends Wednesday 2-4, 6-8 PM at the Gluvna Shimo Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 AM in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 11:00 AM at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Richard Hudak, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in South Euclid, will officiate. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum of Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where the Italian-American Veterans #1 of Lorain will conduct military honors.