Richard Wickstrand

Richard Wickstrand OCEANSIDE -- Richard Wickstrand was born April 13, 1925, and passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. His home, for the major part of his life, was Rockford, Illinois. He and his wife, Audrey of 62 years, moved to Oceanside, Calif., in 2009 to be closer to their family. Family came first with Richard and he truly enjoyed the last year and a half being able to have spontaneous and frequent plans with them. He and his wife spent many winters in Palm Desert California, enjoying tennis with many friends at Deep Canyon Tennis Club. When they moved to their current address, he renewed his passion for billiards with new friends at the Clubhouse. Richard spent three years in the Navy. Upon returning, he was employed by Factory Supplies Company of Rockford, Illinois. After several promotions, he eventually purchased the company, which he ran successfully for 45 years. His son, Gregg, joined him in 1976 after he graduated college. Richard retired in 1990 and Gregg successfully took over the business until 2000 when he and his family moved to Del Mar, California, after selling the business. He was an extremely generous person and made many anonymous donations to several charitable organizations. His philosophy was "if you have been successful you should share with those in greater need." He continued to support many organizations throughout his life. Richard was predeceased by his son, Dan Wickstrand; his parents, Judy and Herb Wickstrand; and his sister, Lenora Carncross. He is survived by his wife, Audrey of Oceanside; his son, Gregg Wickstrand and wife, Terri of Carlsbad, Calif.; grandson, Matthew Wickstrand and wife, Tenaya of San Marcos, Calif.; granddaughter, Erin Bloom and husband, Zvi; and great-grandson, Yosef Chaim of Madison, Wis.; sister, Marge Sudduth; and nephews, Herb Sudduth of Tucson, Ariz., Steve Carncross and wife,Vicky of Naperville, Ill., and Chuck Carncross and wife, Maureen, of Germantown, Tenn. Memorials may be sent to the Dan Wickstrand Foundation at Milestone Inc., 4060 McFarland Rd., Rockford, Ill., 61111. This foundation was established several years ago at Milestone, an organization for developmentally disabled. This foundation serves approx. 350 clients, some of whom have no relatives to help them. It gives them birthday and Christmas gifts, as well as sponsors many enjoyable outings and special events. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held Wednesday, November, 17, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at the Shadowridge Country Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, Vista, California, 92081, with lunch following. O'Connor Mortuary, (949) 581-4300 oconnormortuary.com Sign the Gestbook online obits.nctimes.com