Richard Lee "Rick" Bacni

Richard Lee "Rick" Bacni was a lifelong resident of Sandusky, Ohio, known in his community as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a steady, kind presence to everyone who crossed his path. He was not a public figure in the national sense, and the record of his life comes from the obituary published by his family through Toft Funeral Home and Crematory in Sandusky rather than from a biography or press coverage. He lived a quiet, grounded life built around his Catholic faith, his family, and decades of steady work.

Born on July 12, 1947, in Sandusky, Bacni grew up in the city and graduated from Sandusky St. Mary's in the class of 1965. He went on to earn a business degree from Cleary College, an education his family says served him well throughout a long career. He spent 31 years working for Ford Motor Company before retiring, and he was described by those who knew him as respected for his work ethic and his commitment to the job. Outside of work, he was a longtime member of Holy Angels Catholic Church and the Sandusky Knights of Columbus, organizations that anchored his sense of faith and community.

Those who knew Bacni remembered him as kind, generous, and intelligent, with a warm presence and a genuine interest in the people around him. He was known for his good humor and for making others feel welcome, and in retirement he enjoyed following Cleveland sports teams, keeping track of his investments and the stock market, and spending time with friends. Family describes him as someone who found meaning in conversation, companionship, and the small, everyday moments of connection with the people he loved.

Bacni died peacefully at his home in Sandusky on September 20, 2026, at the age of 79, following what his family described as a prolonged illness. No further details about the specific cause of his death have been made public, and the family's obituary did not elaborate beyond that description. His death was announced through an obituary placed by his family with Toft Funeral Home and Crematory in Sandusky, which also handled arrangements for his visitation and funeral Mass.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Bacni, his son Greg Bacni and Greg's partner Heather, his daughter Molly Ryan and her husband Eric, his son Ben Bacni and Ben's partner Lauren, and his grandchildren Eli and Walter. He is also survived by his brothers Steve and Gary Bacni and his sister Sue Rider, along with an aunt, Vincenz Meyer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mary Bacni. Friends and family who knew him through church, the Knights of Columbus, and his years at Ford are remembering him as a steady, faithful, and generous man whose presence will be missed in the Sandusky community he called home for his entire life.