Richard Cerasani Caine, 85, a recent resident of Madison, Ohio from New York City, entered into eternal life at home with his family on February 22, 2024.  Richard was a true Renaissance man, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, entrepreneurship, and love for life. He was born on October 25, 1938,  to Mary (Grow) and Arthur J. Cerasani in Rochester, New York.  His life journey was marked by a love of the arts, a passion for exploration and a thirst for knowledge.

Richard had a long and accomplished artistic career. As a graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Theater Arts, he won a scholarship from the prestigious Santa Cecelia Conservatory of Music which took him to Rome, Italy for his operatic training. After opera in Europe he eventually returned to the United States, moving to New York City to become a professional actor. During his 50+ years as an actor, he acquired a long resume of accomplishments performing in film, television, theatre, and copious national television commercials. He appeared as Bill Watson on General Hospital for several years, did the film “Lucky Lady” with Liza Minnelli, “Roll Freddy Roll” with Tim Conway, played HR Halderman in a film about Watergate, “Born Again”, TV episodes of Law and Order, Knight Rider, Columbo, Dynasty, just to name a few. Some of his stage work included the lead role of Donny Dark in the Broadway National Tour of “Butterflies are Free” with Celeste Holmes.  Always looking to improve his craft, he studied at HB Studio under the acclaimed actress Uta Hagen in NYC.

After moving his family to Saratoga Springs, New York in 2005, Richard found a new passion in writing, sparked by the discovery of love letters exchanged between his parents while his father, a sculptor, worked in South Dakota assisting Gutzon Borglum on the creation of Mount Rushmore. The discovery of these letters from Avon, NY to South Dakota led Richard to write a poignant book chronicling his parents’ love story.  “Love Letters From Mount Rushmore, the Story of a Marriage a Monument and a Moment in History”. It is a testament to his deep appreciation for family and history. He toured the country – and internationally – telling the story of his book which won numerous awards including a Gold Medal Literary Award.

Always on the move, he broke records in track at Northwestern University, was in the top 10% of the New York City Marathon Race and he held the New York State Title for Men’s Water Skiing. Richard was an entrepreneur at heart and embarked on numerous business ventures ranging from food to hospitality, reflecting his diverse entrepreneurial mindset. Highlights of these endeavors include Hurdy Gurdy frozen desserts – which he sold at the Saratoga Springs Racetrack, and the “Crying Towel” designed for people who lost too much at that track.

He created the business “Performing Arts Short Term Housing” in 1988, from his Brownstone just 5 blocks from Lincoln Center. This short-term housing business allowed him to work with leading opera stars from around the world performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Prima Ballerinas from Russia and Georgia, Conductors, Composers, Directors, Musicians, and leading Broadway actors looking for accommodations while performing in New York City.  Each of his endeavors were fueled by his boundless energy and innovative spirit.

Beyond his professional achievements, Richard was a dedicated traveler who reveled in exploring new cultures and experiences. His wanderlust took him to far-flung corners of the globe from climbing the top of the Great Pyramid in Cairo (TWICE), into Ethiopia to meet the Falashas Tribe (believed to be one of the 10-lost tribes of Israel), to Tanzania, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, Russia and all of Europe.

Richard and his wife Kathleen Connors met by being cast as husband and wife in three different TV Commercials, to which he teasingly would say that Central Casting was the original “E Harmony.Com” that brought them together.  After dating five years they wed on April 30, 1988 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Richard is survived by his loving wife Kathleen and their son Devon H. Caine as well as his daughter – Jennifer M. (Frederic Silverans) Cerasani, son Richard A.A.  Cerasani; grandchildren, Luca, Dario, Nico, Romeo Silverans; brother, Allen (Rita) Cerasani; brothers-in-law, Edward B. (Jan) Connors, Donald J. (Kathy) Connors; sister-in-law, Cynthia (Thomas) Komp. Richard is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Arthur Cerasani and his wife Lee Cerasani.

Friends and family may call 4-7pm, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison Ohio, 44057. Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be 10am, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Church, 2846 Hubbard Road, Madison Ohio 44057. Final resting place will be North Madison Cemetery.