1930 — 2012

LEWISTON — Richard Ellsworth McCollister, 82, of Canton, passed away at CMMC on Sunday, Oct. 14, after a brief illness.

Richard was born in Gilbertville (now Canton) on Feb. 20, 1930, son of Lillian Draper McCollister and Rodney McCollister. He attended school in Canton and Portland.

In his earlier life he was a tool designer for Pratt-Whitney and for Lincoln and Lee engineering firms. He was proud of his service as Oxford County Democratic chairman and as a Democratic State Committee member from Oxford County.

Richard served in the 110th, 111th and 112th Legislatures, on Health and Human Services, the Taxation and the Agriculture committees. He owned Data Command Inc., a computer services company. In his later years, he enjoyed farming and working on his woodlot on Canton Point.

Richard was a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of the Kora Temple Shrine in Lewiston.

He is survived by Jane, his wife of 51 years; sisters, Marion Gregory and Frances Duncan, both of Elizabeth City, N.C.; sons, Richard and wife, Robin, of Charlotte, N.C., Ben of Canton, and Danny and Marylou Wing of Peru; daughters, Peggy Howard, and Gretchen and Ron Atkins, both of Columbus, Ohio.

Richard had 13 grandchildren, Don Clarkson, Melissa Clarkson and Ron Atkins Jr., all of Columbus, Ohio, Tiffany Welbourn of Maryland, Richard E. McCollister of Charlotte, N.C., Angela Cushman of Dixfield, Katie McPherson of Andover, Jason Wing of Ft. Mead, Md.; Becky McCloud of Canton, Sonny McPherson and Ben McCollister of Westbrook and Holt McCollister of Portland; as well as 10 great-granddaughters; and four great-grandsons.

Richard was predeceased by a brother, Rodney “Mac” McCollister; daughter-in-law, Marjorie McCollister, who was very special to him; and a granddaughter, Christine Sterry.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family and friends on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.