Richard D. Wilson

Castleton- Richard Dennis Wilson, 74, born on July 17, 1949, entered into eternal life on July 17, 2023 after a valiant battle with a sudden illness. Born in Cambridge, NY to his late, loving parents Pauline and Ervin Wilson, he cherished his early years raised in Salem, NY at the family homestead and Wilson Dairy farm, which inspired his strong family values, work ethic, and friendly demeanor. The seasonal corn stand was his pride and joy and sparked his entrepreneurial business interests.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Monica O’Brien Wilson, their three beloved children, Brooke Boniface (Kevin), Lindsey Wilson, and Matthew Wilson, and two precious grandchildren, Abigail and Andrew Boniface. He is also survived by his sister Luanne Stanton (David), his aunt Susan Evans (Winston), brother-in-law Paul O’Brien (Karen), sisters-in-law Marcie Arnold (Gregory) and Jan O’Brien (Edward), several cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends that enhanced his life. He is predeceased also by his infant daughter Oscette, in-laws William and Norma O’Brien, and his brother-in-law Edward O’Brien.

He graduated high school from Salem Washington Academy and Albany Business College where he developed his business administration, marketing, and sales foundation. He was employed for 25 years by NEC Telecommunications Solutions where he received many awards and cruises recognizing his contributions and sales acumen. He became a tech buff, enamored with cutting-edge electronic advances, with one of his proudest moments being when he acquired an early cell phone and video camera, which were the size of laptops today. In retirement, he loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s concerts, recitals, and athletic events. He launched an antique business acquiring and selling unique wares in 9 shops, where he became known as a Creative Old Geezer, a nod to his creative, resourceful drive to find treasures people sought. This second chapter filled him with joy, fellowship, and purpose.

Rick was proud to serve his county in the U.S. Army and to be part of the Veteran family. He served in Vietnam from 1969-1971. He was a devoted father and “Grampa” who cherished his family time and was a source of quiet, steady support with a fun-loving sense of humor and mischievous wit. He loved the adventure of travel and exploring new places and people. He was a life-long sports enthusiast following his Yankees and Jets, coaching his children’s soccer and softball teams, and cheering on multiple grandchildren’s sports with loving devotion and pride. Ever the optimistic, positive thinker, he infused his confident support into all those he loved, forming unbreakable bonds that will endure forever.

Rick taught us to be patient, calm and stoic, to laugh and not take life too seriously, to love big, live life to the fullest, cherish the unique, that luck is yours to capture if you look close enough for the four-leaf clovers hiding in plain sight and that rolls playfully tossed across holiday dinner tables just taste better.

Relatives and friends are invited to his calling hours Wednesday, August 2 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 3 Catholic Way, Castleton, NY, followed by a celebratory Mass at 11:00 a.m. and inurnment in the on-site columbarium. A condolence page may be found at castletonfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated, skillful medical team and neurologists at Albany Medical Center’s ICU and to the many friends and family who have been a compassionate, steady support.