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