Richard Christopher Siskey Sr.

Rick was born on December 24, 1958. He spent most of his adolescent years in Kankakee, IL just outside of Chicago. As a young boy, he spent a lot of time after school at the local YMCA. It was during this time that he learned to love the game of chess and grew to appreciate the support of a strong community.

While Rick’s accomplishments in business were staggering, it was his family that he cherished the most. Rick met Diane, the love of his life, in Illinois, and the couple married in 1983. They moved to Charlotte, NC in 1985. Their two children, Jenna and Richard, looked up to Rick and adored his words of wisdom, leadership, and laughter. He often spoke in parables and taught them countless life lessons.

Rick dedicated his entire career to being a successful businessman, philanthropist and “serial entrepreneur.” He had over thirty years of success in the business world. Rick was a perennial leader in sales and production with companies like Lincoln, Guardian and MetLife, spending decades as the top agent in the country. In 1998, Rick received his Masters of Business Administration from the McColl School of Business at Queens University. In 1999, Rick founded Wall Street Capitol, a company that embodied his vision of a comprehensive financial services firm. For the past seventeen years, these offices, which carry Rick’s personal touch and flair, have stood as the centerpiece of a business that successfully serves thousands of clients spread across the country and multi-generations.

Rick always believed that community and relationships were to be valued above business. He supported and actively gave to the YMCA, Queens University, Catholic Social Services, and numerous charities that include the United Way, the National Arthritis Foundation and most recently, Best Buddies International. Rick was a friend and mentor to so many and was always willing to share all that he had with those who needed it most. In 1995, Rick’s civic contributions and support of the YMCA organization were honored with the naming of The Siskey Family YMCA, a recognition for which he always remained grateful.

Rick was also a past member of the National Speakers Association, an organization that helped him develop and refine his gift of public speaking. He has lectured throughout the country on a number of topics from entrepreneurial motivation and inspiration to the challenging expectations of building successful businesses. Some of his most memorable speeches though were undoubtedly his Father of the Year speech in 2008 and his Father of the Bride speech in 2013.

Rick had a passion for sports. A Chicago fan at heart, he always loved his Cubs and Bears. However, as a Charlotte community leader, whose love of competition ran deep, Rick became the first of many original fans of the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.

Whether it was attending a black tie gala, concert or lively tailgate party, Rick enjoyed many festive times with loved ones and friends. It was seeing people happy that made Rick smile and laugh the most. In recent times, you could find Rick in his “man cave” where he was constantly fueling and pursuing his latest passion: playing guitar and singing rock and country ballads.

Rick is survived by his amazing wife and soul mate Diane, his daughter Jenna and son-in-law VJ, son Richard, mother Shirley and step-father Ed, siblings Elisa, Mike, Cindy and Gary plus a host of family relatives and loved ones.

A celebratory Mass was held in his honor at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church on Saturday, December 31, 2016. Given Risk’s passion for community support, in lieu of sending flowers to the family, they invite friends and colleagues to make a donation to Best Buddies International at bestbuddies.org.