01/31/2025
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Dale McConnachie
OBITUARY
Dale Allen McConnachie was born on October 23, 1945 to Dorothy Hagenbaugh and James McConnachie and passed on December 30, 2024. Dale was raised and lived his entire life in San Pedro, Calif. He had a deep love of the ocean from boyhood and loved to surf and sail whenever he could. As a young man, he worked the Catalina boats as a deckhand as well as the oil barges. He continued working through the IBU (Inland Boatmen’s Union) eventually becoming a tugboat captain. He was registered in ILWU Local 13 in 1982 and worked as a crane operator until his retirement in 2008.
Dale was the loving father of Ray (Kim), Cory (Marissa), Starla (Eric), stepson Douglas (Shanna) and grandfather to nine. He is survived by his sister Carol Becker (Pete) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dale was married to Diane Middleton for 26 years. They loved their many friends, dancing and frequent visits to Catalina, Palm Springs and Kauai. They crossed America visiting many national parks by rail. Dale loved adventure and the road less travelled so he and Diane went to Cuba, Vietnam, Tahiti, and countless other countries camping in the Sahara, riding elephants in Thailand, seeking tigers in India and cruising the rivers of the Mekong Delta. They often took trips with the entire family, loving being together and enjoying great food. He showered us with love and support and we joyfully returned it.
As a young man, he rowed to Catalina with life time friend Alfred Villanueva and was a back pack traveler thru Europe, Morocco, and Australia. He loved riding his Harley-Davidson and driving his sports car. He had many sailboats including the Ohana, a 36′ Catalina that he owned with John (Rags) Wolczanski. He took frequent sailing trips with his Pedro buddies to the Whitsundays in Australia, Greece, Croatia, and Belize. His passion was his off-the-grid property in Hilo, Hawaii. He climbed Mt. Whitney twice with his sons and hiked the length of Catalina Island.
After his retirement, Dale took up painting (at the urging of his pal Dag Kolderup) and enjoyed many happy hours at his studio.
Dale was a good union man and the “nicest guy you’d ever want to meet”. His friends and family are grateful for the many years we had with him and his peaceful passing.
A memorial will be held at 12pm on March 28 the ILWU Memorial Hall, 231 W. C Street, Wilmington. If you wish, wear a Pendleton or Hawaiian shirt in Dale’s honor.
Sail away our dear husband, father, brother, and friend.