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Richard R. King, 77

ADAMS, Mass. — Mr. Richard R. King, 77. of Adams, longtime Adams businessman and civic leader, died Sunday morning, December 25, 2022, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. A pillar of his community and family, Rick was known for his quick wit, loving demeanor, and endless generosity.
He was born in Adams on May 4, 1945, a son of the late Milton King and Margaret (White) King Bedard. He attended Adams schools and graduated from C.H. McCann Technical High School in North Adams as a member of its first graduating class in 1963.

In October of 1963, in his first business endeavor at age 18, Rick opened Rick’s Service Station on Columbia St. in Adams. In 1965 he started a new car dealership with Leonard Bedard in South Deerfield, MA. He returned to this area in 1966 to establish Rick’s Auto Sales on Curran Highway in North Adams.

In 1973, General Motors awarded him a franchise, and he established McAndrews-King Pontiac Buick in Adams together with the late Owen McAndrews. McAndrews-King added the GMC line in 1978, and he became the sole owner of the dealership in 1979. He remained an active part of the business with his current partner and management team until his passing. McAndrews-King’s current management is dedicated to continuing the legacy of excellence Rick curated within the business since he was 27 years old.

Rick was a long-time member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of South Adams Savings Bank, and a Trustee with its successor, Adams Community Bank. He was a past chairman and member of a board of the Plunkett Trust and was instrumental in assuring that remaining funds of the former W.B. Plunkett Memorial Hospital would stay in Adams after its closing to recruit new doctors, nurses, and medical professionals to come to the town to continue to provide medical care to Adams residents. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams recognizes Rick as being the first donor to contribute to the fledgling museum, having donated a new GMC Van to be used to transport potential investors and artists to tour the facility at its inception.

Rick started racing motorcycles at age 12 under the guidance of Ron Ouimet and won four trophies by the time he finished his racing career several years later. Rick was a member of the Adams Lions Club, the Adams Lodge of Elks and the Mountain Club. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Forest Park Country Club in Adams, Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, and Bear’s Paw Country Club in Naples, FL, where he and his wife spent the winter months for the past 35 years.

His loved ones mourn his loss but are assured that he left this life having fulfilled his purpose as a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather to the highest degree. Rick had an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life and made friends everywhere he went. To have the privilege of feeling the loss of his passing so strongly is the greatest honor of his friends’ and family’s lives.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Elizabeth L. Hish, whom he married on November 1, 1963; two daughters, Laurie McDonald and her husband, Jim, of South Deerfield, MA and Christine Sayers of Greenfield, MA; five grandchildren, Sarah Kells, Jessica Howard, Matthew Markland, Kaylee Sayers and Dylan Sayers; six great grandchildren, Owen Howard, Oliver Howard, Madeline Kells, Norah Kells, Avery Kells and Otis Howard; one brother, Milton King and his wife, Beverly, of South Deerfield, MA; one sister, JoAnn Welsh and her husband, William, of Oregon; one sister-in-law, MaryAnn Hish of Adams, MA; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rick’s name to Pop Cares, PO Box 482, Williamstown, MA 01267. The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence for the King family, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com

 


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Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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Dear Betty - I am so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Whenever he was at Taconic he had a smile on his face and handled himself with a gentleman's grace and charm. He will be missed. Offering you strength and courage from my heart to yours.

Jane
from: Jane Pattonon: 01-04-2023

So sorry to hear of Rick's passing. I hope he is playing golf with my Grandfather, leo Trottier in Heaven! I always remember going to see my Grandfather at the dealership and chatting with Rick when I was little.
from: Jeff & Heather Bonaon: 01-03-2023

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
from: Paul Dupuison: 12-30-2022

My son and I would like to extend our condolences to the entire King family. I have known Rick And Betty since the age of 18, bought our first car from Rick.
Always enjoyed seeing him in the post office, give him a hug because he smells so good with this wonderful cologne.
Rest in peace, Rick
from: Wendy Roberyon: 12-29-2022

so long my friend,we had some great times together,see you on the other side.may god bless you.
from: on: 12-28-2022

Rick was a great guy, very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to the King family. Tom Ramsdell
from: Thomas Ramsdellon: 12-28-2022

Betty and family, so sorry to hear of Ricks passing, we have known him for years , and he will be sadly missed!
Sonney and NANCY Cwalinski
from: Walt Cwalinskion: 12-28-2022

To Betty, and Family,
It is with great sadness that I have heard of Rick's passing. He was a true gentleman and always friendly to anyone that he met. I am glad that I had the opportunity to know him as an honest, caring businessman and someone I could call a friend.
May you all know that he will be missed but not forgotten.
Warmly,
Jim and Carolyn
from: Jim Moroccoon: 12-28-2022

I am so sad to read of Ricks passing..I always enjoyed conversations with him and waiting on him and his lovely wife at restaurants, or seeing him at the dealership. His presence will be missed by all the lives he touched… my sincere condolences to you all.
from: Cheryl Lefaveon: 12-28-2022

Betty I am so sorry for loss Rick was a good man who also was a great person to deal with when buying a car or truck rest in peace Ricky.
from: bob Pizanion: 12-28-2022

Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you. May his memories become your treasures.
Love, John and Elaine Daniels
from: John and Elaine Danielson: 12-28-2022

The Kings have been our neighbors for many years
Our sincere sympathy to the family .
from: Lucy Czajaon: 12-28-2022

So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family. Love to all. Sincerely
from: Lindsay and Lila on: 12-27-2022

Grateful for the time we shared, you were truly one of a kind. I will never forget your kindness and smile that lightened up any room. Thinking and praying for Betty and the family during this difficult time. I will cherish our time and knowing that you are at peace my friend! Rest easy?
from: Jen L.on: 12-27-2022

My sincere condolences goes out to his wife and family. He was truly a great person to know as a friend and also a business person. We bought patronize each others businesses for many years. RIP Rick .
from: Nancy Kordana on: 12-27-2022

Sincere, heartfelt, loving condolences to Betty, Laurie,Christine and Family: Rick will always be remembered as such a nice gentleman, always smiling! May he now Rest In Peace and May you all be comforted by faith, memories and the care of family and friends.
from: Carrie Gaylordon: 12-27-2022

I have the pleasure of knowing Rick for the past 50 years. He guided me to join and subsequently purchase SBM insurance agency in 1990. We also served together on the Board of Trustees of both the South Adams Savings Bank and the Adams Community Bank.. Rest In Peace my friend .
To his wife Betty and daughters Lori and Chris and his extended family my condolences.
I will always remember his saying” if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
from: Bernie Pinsonnault on: 12-27-2022

My deepest sympathy to your family. I’ve had many conversations over the years with Laurie about her wonderful, loving father and role model. She treasured the large family vacations where everyone was given their special time with her parents and the lasting memories you all made together. There’s nothing quite like the bond between father and daughters. My love to you all.
from: Judy Jasperon: 12-27-2022

So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Love to all
from: Lindsay and Lila on: 12-27-2022

Elizabeth and family, Rick was a Gentlemen's gentlemen. He was kind and generous in every sense of the word. May he rest in piece.
from: Bill Haddadon: 12-27-2022

Rick was a fiercely loyal friend who always had time to listen, a very generous man who cared for everyone he was associated with. You will be missed “ Al “
from: Larry Choquetteon: 12-27-2022

Good bye, my old friend.
Herman "Bub" Bishop
from: Herman Bishopon: 12-27-2022

Rick was a self-made man, and a true gentleman. I feel privileged to have known him ?
from: Dan Dougherty on: 12-27-2022

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