Richard R. Fabian

Richard R. Fabian (August 25, 1940-January 18, 2026)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Richard R. Fabian, who departed this life peacefully on January 18, 2026 at his home, at the age of 85.

Born on August 25, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late George and Katherine (née Hovanec) Fabian, Richard lived a blessed and joyful life, deeply rooted in faith and devotion to family.  The second youngest of nine children, he was raised in a Slovak household where family bonds, hard work, and a faith were instilled in him—values that guided him throughout his life.  Richard graduated from Orange High School and then joined the U.S. Army in 1958.  Upon completion of basic training, he was stationed in Germany, and later at Fort Knox, KY where he met the love of his life, Margaret “Joyce” Hayden whom he married in 1962.   He was employed by Refiner’s Fuel Oil (later BMI) and hauled hazardous materials for over 30 years, when he retired in 1997.  He also worked for Burton Township from 1998-2007.

Richard was a man of boundless energy, drive, and wide-ranging talents and interests. He enjoyed golf, karate, earning a brown belt, and took great pleasure in model railroading, building elaborate and detailed layouts he enjoyed with his grandchildren. An outdoorsman at heart, he raised pheasants and was an enthusiastic hunter.

Above all, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his Catholic faith; he attended mass weekly and instilled those values in his children. He helped with school projects, attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, and cherished time spent around family bonfires, camp outs, biking, fishing, swimming, and summer vacations visiting his in-laws and family in Kentucky, whom he loved dearly.  He also loved country music—especially Johnny Cash—and enjoyed dancing, particularly a good polka. Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Richard is survived by his loving wife Joyce of 63 years; his children, Leslie Taylor,  (Gregory); Richard F. Fabian; Michael A. Fabian (Terri); Margaret Couch (Gregory); and his cherished grandchildren, Emily (Jason) Franz, Rachel (Dan) Gardner, Eric and Leanne Fabian, Kristen (Robert) Kozenko, Hanna Fabian, Madalyn, Michelle, and Elise Couch, and his great-grandchildren, Violet, Sophie, Jordan, Greyson, Chloe, Harper, Finley and brother Robert Fabian.  He was preceded in death by his parents George and Katherine Fabian and siblings, Frank, Albert, Leonard, George, Dorothy Rosboril, Helen Rakowicz, and Pauline Szegedi.  

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026.  Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Newbury, OH.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Richard’s memory.

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