Richard Sebastian, co-founder of the FCA Network whose career in the flooring industry spanned over 45 years until his retirement in 2017, passed away on Feb. 14. The cause was complications after an experimental heart procedure. He would have turned 76 on Feb. 20.
During his noteworthy flooring career, Sebastian owned and operated several Carpetland franchise stores in North Canton, Ohio. He became a partner with Robert (Bob) Hill who owns and operates Floor Covering Associates with five locations in the Chicago suburbs.
In the late 1990’s Hill saw an opportunity to leverage his buying power and share his expertise in the industry with specialty retailers in secondary markets and formed a buying group with Sebastian called FCA Network, headquartered in Shorewood, Ill. Sebastian assembled a group of independent retailers in the Ohio market and FCA Network. With “seed money” from Hill and Sebastian, FCA Network became a reality.
Sebastian is remembered as a fun-loving friend and an American patriot. He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War and flew dozens of helicopter rescue missions. After the war, Sebastian continued his work with veterans across the country and was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Assoc.
Sebastian is survived by his daughters Lisa Sebastian and Holly Jones, and sons Brian Sebastian and Kevin Jones, and six grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled to take place Feb. 26, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Waite & Son in Medina, Ohio. Services will be held Feb. 27, 11 a.m., at Waite & Son, with a luncheon to follow at Weymouth Country Club in Medina.