Richard Bechelli

Richard Lawrence Bechelli At rest, on November 23, 2011, our much beloved, passed away at the age of 78. As a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, he was one of a kind. As a man, he was one of the kindest. He understood and practiced the "art" of life. He loved business and used the same winning formula with those with whom he dealt: It was always about relationships. He was a man of his word, fair, thoughtful, open, always willing to listen, never judgmental. Born on February 9, 1933 to Joseph Renato Bechelli and Dominica Albina Picetti Bechelli he was raised in San Francisco, baptized at St. Peter and Paul, confirmed at St. Vincent de Paul. Attended Sarah B. Cooper Elementary, Marina Middle School, Galileo High School, and graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1955. He served in the US Army, Lieutenant Transportation Corps from 1955 to 1957. Partnering with his family in the successful Bechelli Belts Company he later created JJ's of San Francisco and New Works International. A partner/owner of Bechelli Properties, a family owned commercial properties company since 1962 with his brother Joseph Bechelli. He loved sports, having enjoyed a full athletic baseball scholarship at USF. Anchored as the catcher for the team, he always said "The Catcher Controls the Game". You could not find a better man to enjoy a baseball game with, or any game for that matter. He loved fly fishing, tennis and golf. His passion for sports led to his philanthropic devotion dedicated to supporting amateur athletics in the Bay Area. Richard continued to serve his alma mater in various capacities, including being elected to the Board of Trustees in June 2003, and as the Chair of the School of Business and Management Advisory Council. Other Board of Directors that benefited from his dedication and commitments included Fort Mason Foundation, Salesian Boy's and Girl's Club of San Francisco, The Olympic Club Foundation (a passion of his), The Olympic Club, The Shores at Waikoloa, and The Old Time Athletes Association. Richard is survived by his wife, Barbara, children, Suzanne Devlin (Thomas), Karin Means (Dave), John Bechelli (Lani), Teresa Gonzales (Henry), Thomas Bechelli, and step daughter Kimberly Girard (Kristian Gyorkos) and grandchildren, Shannon and Michael Means, Joseph, Gian, Irish Ann Bechelli, Dominic and Sam Rigling, Nichole and Jessica Bechelli, Joseph and Katarina Gyorkos. Richard is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Joseph & Shirley Bechelli, their sons and their entire family. We will miss him dearly. We will love him always. Memorial Mass in Celebration of Richard's Life will be held at St. Ignatius Church, Fulton at Parker, San Francisco, on Thursday, December 8th at 10:00 AM. Memorial donations in Lieu of flowers can be made to: The Olympic Club Foundation (524 Post, SF CA 94102, Salesian Boy's & Girl's Club (680 Filbert St., SF CA 94133) or the University of San Francisco. McAVOY O'HARA Co 415-668-0077