Richard James Wilson

“Richie” Wilson passed away at 71 years of age on October 26 after a day spent surrounded by people he loved. Richie is survived by his wife Kathleen, children Bree (husband Spencer Allen and kids Pearl and Nola), Jessica (husband Dan Grattan and kids Iggy and Neko), and Eben (wife Ali Mitnick and kids Oren, Heath, and Asa). Rich also has a brother Jeff (wife Jane and kids Harry and Nora) and sister Lee.

A graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School and Villanova University, Richie now is reunited with his father Richard, Sr., mother Helen, and eldest sister Lynn, in an afterlife we hope (for Richie's sake) includes tons of laughter, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin in heavy rotation, and seared scallops wrapped in bacon.

Richie spent his adult life living, working, and raising a family first in the mountains of northern Vermont and then in the idyllic countryside of Pennsylvania.

Richard was funny. He could tell a joke so many times it was no longer funny, but somehow press on until it was funny again. He loved Martin guitars, Civil War history, Orion the Hunter, strong handshakes, shirts with no sleeves, and eating crabs at the Chesapeake. Most of all, he loved being a dad and a pop-pop to his seven grandchildren.

Richie was a man operating in the currency of extremes. He existed between the clouds and the sea floor. He did things big or not at all. And that made for a richly textured but sometimes complicated life. But if you were lucky enough to be a Wilson, actual or honorary, you were wrapped in his love light and knew you had struck gold. He did a lot of good in his life and made a lot of people laugh, and the literal and metaphorical music he made will be deeply missed.

To honor his life, we will let the Winter come, and the winter go, and then host a celebration of his life in the Spring. And what a life it was. More details to come.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TheoCAuman.com for the Wilson family.