Richard Lawrence McCollom, Dickie to friends and Papa to family, was born on November 30, 1940 in Long Beach, California. He remained in and around Long Beach, attending Long Beach Poly High School. But school wasn’t his thing. Working was. He worked hard his whole life owning two grocery stores in Long Beach, a pool parlor in Belmont Shores, and another grocery store in Seal Beach. After the sale of the last market, he became involved in the whole grocery business for another 15 years. He was a hard worker.
His passion though, was cars. He bought his first car in high school with money he earned as a boxboy. Didn’t matter if it was a classic (he had dozens) or a sport car (he had dozens), or in the later years pick-ups. He enjoyed going to car shows with friends, and Rich and Keenan, as far away as Scottsdale, AZ and Louisville, KY.
Upon retirement he and his wife of 46 years, Gail, moved to Canyon Lake and built their home on the lake to be near family. Dick is survived by Gail, son Rich (daughter-in-law Connie), Grandson Keenan, Granddaughter Shawna (husband Jonathan) Great Granddaughter Charlotte, Great Grandson Jonathan, Granddaughter Carissa and Great Grandson Charlie; while anticipating the arrival of yet another Great Grandson in the Fall.
The family will have a private interment at Pacific View Memorial Park, in Newport Beach, CA in the not-too-distant future.
In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
