RICHARD LEO MCKAY, SR.March 5, 1927-March 5, 2010

Richard Leo McKay died peacefully (and with perfect timing, like the true engineer that he was) in his recliner on his 83rd birthday, March 5, 2010, in Petersburg, Alaska.  

He was born at home in 1927, to John Alexander and Helen Elizabeth (Hanson) McKay in Touchet, Wash. He graduated early from Touchet High School so he could join the US Navy in 1945. 

He served in the Hospital Corp, taking care of the injured service men for two years in Oakland, Calif. 

He married Ardis Anthony in 1947. He was a builder with his Dad around the Walla Walla, Wash., area. He also ran the first self-propelled wheat combine during harvest. 

He was approached by a wheat farmer who owned land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to do a carpenter job there. He branched out and had his own construction business, building many houses in the Bonners Ferry area that are still standing today.  

He moved his wife and five kids to Petersburg, Alaska, in 1965 to do construction work. He was hired by Bob Thorstensen at Petersburg Fisheries in 1970. He oversaw the maintenance and construction of many projects throughout Alaska in many of Icicle Seafoods plants around the state. 

In 1969, he was president of the local Rotary Club. 

Around 1975, he donated his time and energy in designing and helping to build St. Catherine's Catholic Church hall and apartment. 

After his semi-retirement from PFI in 1992, he was very kind to donate his time and expertise to several people and his family, who needed his knowledge and help. He continued overseeing several projects for Icicle Seafoods during that time. He was building shelves the day before his death.

Dick loved living in Alaska because of the fishing and hunting. He loved picnics and rides out the road.  He always appreciated all that PFI has done his family. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ardis; a brother, Joe (Lorraine) McKay, of Vancouver, Wash.; a sister, Theresa Conwell, of Walla Walla;  two sons, Dan (Linda) and Rick (Sharon) McKay of Petersburg; three daughters, Cathy (Chuck) Harris, Kellie (Dennis) Jones of Petersburg and Shellie (Craig) Walsh of Juneau, Alaska. 

He had 24 grandkids, 13 great-grandkids, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a brother and his wife, Herbert and Elizabeth McKay, a sister, Colleen Brock, and a beloved brother-in-law, Archie Conwell. 

Dick was cremated and a graveside service will be held at his request. A memorial Mass will be offered at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Petersburg at a later date.

Donations may be made to Sister Marguerite Gravel for her Ministry to Veterans at 454 Island Pond Road; Manchester, NH 03109; (603) 624-1389.