Richard Procter Ames

Richard Procter Ames Rick, a 36-year resident of Camarillo, died on Sept. 3, 2011. His May 1, 1935 birth in San Mateo, Ca. made him a 4th generation native son. His great grandfather sailed around the horn and founded “Amesport” which is now known as Half Moon Bay. At age 19, after a summer job in Yosemite, he returned home and soon had flu-like symptoms. He says, “I walked into the hospital carrying my satchel, into an iron lung, and never walked again.” He studied at San Francisco State University and University of California Berkeley and earned 2 masters degrees; one in Rehabilitation Counseling and one in Social Work. He then began working at Peninsula Hospital where he met and married Julie Shasky, and later moved to Camarillo in 1975. He established the Department of Social Services at St. John’s Hospital (F Street) in Oxnard; and founded and developed the first hospital based Hospice, Mercy Hospice. He collaborated with the Visiting Nurses Association to establish Hospice for their agency. His staff also trained many volunteers for the community-based hospices (Camarillo Hospice, Santa Clarita Hospice, and Conejo Hospice). Rick retired from St. John’s Hospital in 1985 due to Post-Polio Syndrome. Julie went to work and Rick became the house-husband. He did the car pooling, grocery shopping and spent hours planning and preparing the meals. Rick later co-founded the Simi Valley Post Polio Support Group. He was named handicapped citizen of the year for Ventura County; received the Mercy Award from St. John’s Hospital and the Florence Charleston Award from Catholic Charities Oasis. He was actively involved in Marriage Encounter with his wife where they served as “Team Couple” for many years. Rick and Julie were parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, and in 1995 joined Padre Serra Parish. He was a Mercy Associate. His most recent ministry was passing out stickers to the children at Sunday Mass, and became known as “The Sticker Man!” Rick had an amazing, blessed, and grace-filled life. He is survived by his wife, Julie, of 41 years. He was a loyal and supportive husband; an attentive father/grandfather/role model for David and (Onalee Hawkins) Ames and their children, Braden, Parker, and Ellie; Christopher Ames and (Lacey Edgren); Mary Ames and (Brad Benkey) and their children, Brianne and William; Sarah Ames and (Jayson Celebrado); Bill and Jenny Franz; and his “brotherly” caregiver, Yeoman Edrada, of 10 years. Rick is also survived by his sister Patricia Avery, sister Alice Morison, brother Thomas Ames, and sister Kathleen Ames. The family is very appreciative to all of the staff at Assisted Home Hospice, for their excellent care and support during these past 14 months. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to: Sisters, Servants of Mary (140 North G. St, Oxnard, CA, 93030), who are ministers to the sick in their homes, and who provided many nights of care for family respite.