Obituary of Wayne Asuma, Jr.

Wayne H. Asuma, Jr., 87, of Ashtabula passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at UH- Geneva Medical Center due to COVID complications. He was born January 23, 1934, in Ashtabula, Ohio the son of the late Wayne Asuma, Sr. and Doris Lockwood Carlson. A lifelong area resident, Wayne graduated from Harbor High School in 1952 where he excelled in baseball, basketball, track, and football. After high school Wayne enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served our country. He was a proud Finnish son who watched his hardworking family contribute to the community through businesses such as Rennick’s meat market, the Finnish Co-Op, Asunmaa Grocery Store, and recently relaying to his children that he and his father used the Bum Boat to deliver meat and supplies to the boats. The meat came from Rennick’s Meat Market. Wayne was a hardworking man. He started his first of many careers as a paper carrier. He had a walking route in the Harbor delivering The Star Beacon. His second job was as a caddy for the Ashtabula Country Club. This probably ignited his passion for golf. Wayne’s third job was as a number’s clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He counted train cars on paper and then gave it to the main office. Eventually he was employed at Detrex where he worked for 10 years. He was then employed at Reliance for five years. His final job was at RMI where he worked until his retirement at 65. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, the Ashtabula Real Estate Investors Association, and the VFW. He loved bowling, golf, softball, stamp collecting, and was a staunch Democrat and union supporter. Wayne was a pet lover, especially his beloved dog, Dancer. He is survived by his children, Pamela Cianci (Paul), Lori Berman (Ron Blair), and David Asuma; nine grandchildren, Jimmy Ross, Jared Ross, Laura Weatherholt (Dave), Nicole Cianci, Chelsie Ditz (Nate), Linnea Cianci, Daniel Berman (Jaime), Dillon Berman, and Hannah Berman; and many great grandchildren. Wayne was preceded in death by his sister, Louise Asuma and his parents. We would like to give a thank you to the ICU staff at UH Geneva for making a difficult situation bearable. A very special thanks for the wonderful care and love given to our father through the years by Austinburg Rehab Nursing and Ancillary Staff. You are truly appreciated by our entire family. A Celebration of Wayne’s Life will be held in the spring at a day and time to be announced. He will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in North Kingsville. Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com