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Richard Collings Obituary
Born in Blackpool, England, Richard served in the British Army before attending Columbia University and graduate school at Yale University. He continued the family business with brother Brian, working as a chef at his restaurants in California. Richard later moved to teach at the University of Aberdeen and returned to the U.S. to teach in New England.
After moving to North Carolina, he served as a prayer leader and Bible instructor at several parishes, including Our Lady of the Highways in Thomasville, Pennyburn Retirement Home, Christ the King in High Point, St. Francis Springs in Stoneville, and St. Benedict in Greensboro. For many years, Richard managed the international mission Share God's Love primarily to support Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.
Richard faithfully cared for wife Kyllikki for over ten years of her illness and took special pride in caring for grandson Jamie. He entered a new chapter in 2015 with marriage to second wife Karen. All who knew him knew that he loved his family, he loved God, and he loved Manchester United.
He is preceded in death by wife Kyllikki, parents Sydney and Mary, and his beloved brothers Peter, Brian, and John Collings. He is survived by wife Karen, daughter Paula St. John (Joe), grandson Jamie St. John, stepdaughters Brianna and Kimberly Oliver, niece Maria Thurlow, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be held on September 30, 2025, at 12 pm at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Greensboro. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to AuthoraCare Collective, who cared for Richard this year. Donations may be made at authoracare.org/give or by phone at 336-276-1994.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Collings
3 Entries
Suzanne Miller
September 29, 2025
Richard, I will never forget all those chats we had while waiting in the car pool line. I learned a lot from you. You made the world a better place.
Stephanie Dvorsky
September 26, 2025
So many wonderful memories of spending time with and talking to Mr. Richard. I will never forget how in awe the children at the preschool were of him, and how they gave each other smiles bright enough to light up the world. Sending all my love and hugs to the family.
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