William Read Richardson's Obituary
William “Read” Richardson passed away Thursday, January 4th after a nearly two decade battle with cancer. Read was born on June 23, 1950 in New Orleans, LA to the late Joseph Francis Richardson Sr. and the late Gail Read Richardson. He was preceded in death by his grandchildren Matthew and Chase Cooper and his son-in-law David Sweitzer. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife and soulmate of 48 years Patricia Skornik Richardson, his three girls Lindsay Sweitzer, Christine Richardson (Chris Gainey), and Megan Richardson (Chris Menge), as well as his three grandchildren, Grady and Lila Cooper and Jackson Sweitzer. He is also survived by his 4 siblings, Michael (Mary), Karen, Peter, and Joe.
Read spent most of his life in New Orleans before moving his family to Covington. He graduated from St. Paul’s High School in 1968 where he and his team placed second in the state finals in basketball. He attended college at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette where he met the love of his life, Pat. His successful pool business earned him the name “The Pool Guru”. Read would always talk about completing a marathon as his greatest accomplishment second to his three girls. Read loved to spend time in the kitchen, creating delicious new meals for his family and friends. His sense of humor was infectious; he was known for being the king of a good dad joke. If there was a dance floor, he was on it. If there was good music, he was singing along with it.
In the 73 years that Read lived, he was so many things to so many people. He was a son, a brother, a hero, a husband, a dad, a grandfather, an uncle, and a friend. His battle with cancer showed his admirable strength and ability to give 110% each day with such positivity. Just like his mother, Read was never one to complain, and his fight and perseverance were an inspiration to all who knew him. Seeing his three girls grow into strong and independent women brought him immense pride and joy. In more recent and quiet times, Read would express to Pat that he felt he lived a great life with no regrets and was so thankful for all the experiences and memories he made with dear friends and family. Read will truly be missed by all who knew him but especially by Pat and their three daughters. He was our “go-to” when life got rough, our comfort when we needed clarity, the one we could always count on for sound advice. Because of him we have the hearts of a lion. He would not want us to cry because he is gone, he would instead want us to be happy for the fulfilling life he lived.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to everyone at Mary Bird Perkins and Tulane Medical who that have taken such amazing care of him over the past two decades.
In the words of his favorite musician,“Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, But I had a good life all the way” Jimmy Buffett.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a visitation at St. Peter’s Church, 125 E. 19th Avenue, Covington, Louisiana on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Mass following at 11:00 a.m. An interment will follow in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery. The Richardson family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online via the E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com. Donations can be made to The Guild at Raphael Village, https://raphaelvillage.org/support-our-work/donate.
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