Former Lakeside resident Richard Love died January 24 in Galveston, Texas at the age of 69.
Born on June 6, 1943 in Beaumont, Texas, Love attended the University of Texas in Austin. At the age of 20 he decided to go to seminary and pursue his studies for the Roman Catholic priesthood. A diocesan priest, he served the priesthood in Guayaquil, Ecuador and worked extensively with the Seamen’s Center there.
Love was ordained a monsignor and attached to the Vatican but maintained his connections to Ecuador. He returned to the United States after several years living and traveling around the world (he resided in England, Italy, Yugoslavia, and various places in South America and Mexico) to help care for his ailing mother.
Upon his return to the United States, Love opened a shipping company specializing in the transport of large equipment sent to Ecuador for drilling and other uses.
His mother passed away in 2002 and Love sold his company and, with his sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Tom Britton, moved to Ajijic. Love was a familiar sight socializing in Ajijic and Chapala and, especially during his early years here, volunteered with children’s charities. He thoroughly enjoyed (nearly) everyone he met and they never forgot him.
He is survived by his sister Dianne Britton and her husband Tom, his sister Linda Harris and her husband Bob, nieces Michele Britton and Christie Brewer and grand nephew Mark Harris and his wife Meredeth.
Memorial services will be held Monday, February 4, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque, Texas.