Richard McGillivray
Richard McGillivray, 91, of Santa Barbara, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 26th, at Cottage Hospital. He was born December 28, 1933 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He moved to the mainland with his family and parents, William and Petra McGillivray, when he was 10 years old, settling in Los Altos and later Palo Alto. He attended local schools where he was active in athletic circles, and graduated from Palo Alto High. He worked at the Palo Alto Sports Shop, and later for the Fleischmann Distilling Corporation in San Francisco.
In the late 50s, Richard met and married LaVonne Olsen of Lakota, Iowa and had two sons, Perry and Rodney. He met his wife Helen in San Francisco, married her in Canada in 1969, and raised two sons Christopher (1973) and Jason (1976) in Santa Barbara.
He joined the Carrows Restaurant Group as a managing partner in 1971, and operated the Santa Clara unit; he was named Head of Operations in 1972 and moved to the Corporate Offices in Santa Barbara. There he was instrumental in opening several units for the Carrows Group in California, Arizona and Nevada, before venturing into business for himself.
In the early 80’s he co-owned/operated the Goleta Bakery. He opened CHUBBIES HAMBURGERS at 2908 De la Vina Street, followed by a second CHUBBIES at 1027 State Street, while operating Pavlakos on Milpas Street. He reopened the State Street location in 2001 as an
Asian-fusion restaurant called Aqua, and subsequently Sho Sushi House, Spice Avenue and Tamira. In November CHUBBIES will celebrate 40 years in operation.
Richard is predeceased by his parents William and Petra, son Perry, brother Ron (JoAnne), sister Patricia (Richard Douglas), nephew Scott, and grandson Gabriel.
He is survived by his brother William (Karen); wife Helen; three sons Rodney (Gia), Christopher, Jason (Jill); grandchildren Hope, Samuel, Gavin and Ethan; nieces Kathy, Thea (Garrett), Maria (Paul); nephews Marc, Dean, Hunter, Basil (Sheila), Spencer, Alex (Alesia).
A Funeral Mass will be prayed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 1300 E. Valley Road, Montecito at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10th, followed by Internment at Santa Barbara Cemetery. A mercy meal will be offered, immediately following the Internment, at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara.
Donations in Richard’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
