Peter Gilbert Richardson

Peter, born September 10th,1942 was the son of the late Mayor Howard T. Richardson and Lois B. Richardson. He was also the son - in - law of the late Arthur J. Balfour.

He is survived by his wife, A.J. Balfour Richardson, one son, Bryan P. B. Richardson, one daughter, Jacqueline L. Richardson, all of Hemet, CA and two grandsons, David A. Munsterman and Bryan G. Munsterman of Phoenix, AZ.

He is also survived by sister Beverly A. Ellis, brother Thomas H. Richardson (Rene), and sister Patricia M. Curtis. Mother-in-law Edith E. Balfour, sister-in laws Betty-Ann Ball (Larry) , Maxxine Selleck, Jeannette Balfour, and brother-in-law, Paul J. Balfour (Karen), numerous nieces, nephews, grand- nieces & nephews and cousins. Also four darling cats, Katie, from the Big Island of Hawaii, Gigi, from Palm Springs, CA, and Snookie and Ginger from Hemet, CA that he and his family gave a home to.

Born & raised in Oceanside, California the youngest child of the first elected mayor of Oceanside, Howard T. Richardson, from 1968 through 1976. Peter graduated from Oceanside High School with the class of 1960. During his Oceanside years he played basketball and enjoyed numerous activities with his family and in the community, including bowling with the Richardson Brothers team at Welcome Lanes, he had a love of playing pool, time spent on his parents boat that was moored at the Oceanside Marina and many happy memories of being at the family cabin up on Palomar mountain. He loved telling the stories of riding the family horses on Oceanside Blvd and up El Camino Real with his mother and siblings. The fun and joy of taking his children to Lake Hodges to fish, even if all they did catch was bluegil or get chased by lizards. Peter liked taking his wife & children those "26" miles to beautiful Catalina Island vacations. His memories and the years he enjoyed in Oceanside and San Diego County are many and too numerous to express.

He apprenticed under his father, Howard, and worked with the family business, Richardson Brothers Contractors for twenty plus years. While there he learned and honed his skills. He was a true artist who could build a house from seeing it in his mind, to drawing it on paper, to building it to the final stroke of paint on the house number at the curb. In time he branched off and started a business of his own with his son Bryan.

In 1990 the family moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, spending fifteen years there. While there Peter worked for Young Construction. He worked on custom designed homes in the Kona, Kohala Coast and Upcountry Waimea area for high profile clients. His skills as a finish carpenter made him the perfect person to be chosen to work with the unique woods of the Pacific Rim. His specialty being for the wood Koa, a tree that is indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. This skill with woodwork and his engineering abilities enabled him on one occasion to engineer and build a bridge over a client's pool when no one else could. He and his son Bryan offered handyman services to prestigious clientele both local and those with vacation homes.

While on the Big Island Peter did what he could to help with community activities. While living in Waimea he utilized his construction skills for the Waimea Community Theatre and Chorus, by building props and scenery with his son for various productions. He got involved with this activity because his wife A.J. was involved in the theatre & chorus. She was one of the actresses in "Our Town" and talked Peter into playing the Constable in it. He did a fabulous job! A.J. remembers this time in their life fondly.

He had a special love for the Islands, her People and the Aloha Spirit and the visits of special and dear friends & family like the Begley Family and his niece Kristy & her daughters.

In 2005 He and the family moved back to California settling in Palm Springs. Where he and Bryan worked for Spectrum Custom Design doing custom cabinet installations before Peter retired. While in Palm Springs he enjoyed family and community activities before moving to Hemet, CA in 2012.

After moving back to California he enjoyed most of all the visits of his grandsons David & Bryan Munsterman and the walks they would take together when they visited Hemet, CA.

He will be missed but we know we will see him again when we all go to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

His last Pastor was Pastor Ken Landes and his family would like to acknowledge his care in Peter and the families regard. Also our thanks for the Christian consideration and love of the members of the Valle Vista Baptist Church. Our special gratefulness to Patricia Curtis for her support and kindness. For Dave Young's extraordinary contribution in Peter's passing we offer our special Mahalo Nui Loa. Dave is Peter's former boss and the Young family are dear friends. Mr. Young, a Hawaiian Artisan, is crafting an urn for Peter's remains in keeping with the tradition of old Hawaii. Peter's wife, children, and two grandsons extend Aloha No a Hui Ho to Dave & his Ohana.

Peter's family wishes to thank all those whose generosity has helped his wife, children and grandchildren during this time of his passing. We will thank God for every remembrance of you always.