Richard Lee Caron, born February 4, 1942, passed peacefully on June 8th 2023 in Laguna Niguel, California.  He was affectionately known as Papa to his grandchildren and family.  Born to Ambrose and Agnes Caron, Rich was raised in Evansville, Illinois.  He was a gifted athlete and loved playing and watching all sports, particularly baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals.

A proud Veteran, Rich joined the Army National Guard in 1963.  But the following year, his life changed.  He met the love of his life, Mary Caron, and they were married on November 21st, 1964.  They had a wonderful and glorious marriage of over 58 years and had 2 children, Mike & Traci.

He is survived by his son Mike Caron & his daughter Traci Einhorn.  His Daughter-in-law Lori Caron and 4 beautiful grandchildren: Isabella, Charli, Francesca & Sam.  He is survived also by his brother, Jerry Caron, Sister-in-law Pam Caron and his nephews Nathan & Shane Caron and his niece Jennifer Caron.

After moving and settling in St. Louis, Rich began a long & successful career in the insurance business.  He was a business owner himself, opening and running the Caron Insurance Agency with Mary.

But now back to Rich's real passion and love.

His family.

Oh, and sports!

There literally was not a team that Rich did not coach for Mike and Traci.  Whether it was baseball or softball, basketball or soccer, Rich was coaching & teaching.

Every. Single. Game.

And his participation did not stop there!   He was the official groundskeeper of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's athletic fields where Mike and Traci went to school and attended mass. And, he ran the equipment shed.  And, he volunteered at the concession stand.

AND he also found time between all of this, to head and instruct the umpires for the baseball & softball church leagues.  And yes, of course, Rich was an umpire himself.

Simply put, he was a husband, father and friend who gave his time unselfishly to those he cared about.

This love of family and his strong faith inspired Rich to head West and he and Mary sold their business to move to California to be close to Mike & Traci.  What followed was over 20 yeas of a new kind of volunteering and commitment.

Grandchildren!!

And, Theme Parks.

Papa (as he was now officially named by the kids) and Grandma took the grandchildren to all the parks Southern California has to offer.  Isabella, Francesca, Charli & Sam were always first in line at the gates of Disneyland, Lego Land, California Adventure & Universal Studios! And then 14 hours later, they were always the last one out of the park.

Priceless hours were spent riding every ride, eating every treat, and letting each grandchild pick out a wealth of park merchandise, all with Papa & Grandma.

Papa was a very generous man with his love, his money, his time and his advice.  He loved his family deeply and in return was loved to the moon and back.

A private memorial will be held at a later date TBD.  Rich was a passionate Veteran who had enormous love for his country. Therefore in addition to, or instead of, cards or flowers, a donation on Rich's behalf to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation that honors America's first responders, Veterans and their families.

Funeral Masses can be requested in his name at any time.