11/20/2008 – Ric Ocasek – Mentor Foundation Presents the New York Inaugural Royal Gala – Arrivals – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel – New York City, NY, USA – Keywords: The Cars – False – – Photo Credit: Donna Ward / PR Photos – Contact (1-866-551-7827)
Birth Name: Richard Theodore Otcasek
Date of Birth: March 23, 1944
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Date of Death: September 15, 2019
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*father – Czech
*mother – Irish, Welsh
Ric Ocasek was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and painter. He was the vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter for rock band the Cars. Elliot Easton and Benjamin Orr were/are also members of the band.
Ric was the son of Mary Pauline and Theodore Otcasek. “ocas” means “tail” in Czech, with “ocasek” meaning “little tail.” Ric was married to Czech-born model, author, and actress Paulina Pořízková, until his death. He had six children, including singer Christopher, who was part of the rock group Glamour Camp, and two with Paulina.
Ric’s paternal grandfather was August Otcasek (the son of Joseph/Josef Ocásek and Annie/Anna Yecsmen/Jecmen). August was born in Anina, Oraş Anina, Caraș-Severin. Josef was born in what is now Skomelno, Czech Republic, and moved to the mining town Anina, then in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Romania. He was the son of Václav Ocásek and Anna Straková/Straka. Ric’s great-grandmother Anna was born in Nyrany, Okres Plzeň-sever, Plzeň, the daughter of Josefa Rendla.
Ric’s paternal grandmother was Frances/Francis Kloucsek/Kloucek (the daughter of Jan/John Kloucek and Maria/Mary Němec/Remec). Frances was born in Anina, Oraş Anina, Caraș-Severin.
Ric’s maternal grandfather was John Joseph Williams (the son of Owen A. Williams and Catharine/Catherine Carroll). John was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and managed the J. Emory Shute barber shop.
Ric’s maternal grandmother was Claire Elizabeth Leonard (the daughter of Patrick B. Leonard and Margaret Ann O’Hara). Claire was born in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania. Patrick was Irish. Margaret was born in Pennsylvania, to Irish parents, Hugh O’Hara and Susan McGuire.
Sources: Notations on Ric’s Czech heritage – Steierdorf-Anina (BB 1/1); H. D. Schmidt, K. Fassbinder, F.-J. Lataretu: Familienbuch der Gemeinde Steierdorf-Anina (Kreis Karasch-Severin, Banat, Rumänien) 1773 -1865. 468 Seiten. Ulm, 2000.
Genealogies of Ric Ocasek – https://www.findagrave.com
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