Oliver Edward (Ollie) Richardson Jr.

Oliver “Ollie” Edward Richardson Jr., 77, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, after a valiant battle with Lewy Bodies Dementia and Prostate cancer, in Hospice at Eger Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Staten Island, New York, which had been his home for the past seven months.  Oliver was born January 9, 1945, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Oliver and Helen Richardson.  He was the eldest of four children. 

Oliver earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago with majors in finance and economics.  After graduating from the University of Chicago, he worked for The Northern Trust Company in Chicago before launching his career at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he completed Chase’s Global Credit and Advanced Management Programs.  While at Chase, Oliver led an exciting career in Paris, Denmark, London and the Arabian Gulf and eventually as Vice President with oversight of corporate finance and lending business with private investors and corporations.  Oliver, a calculated risk taker, branched out to become one of five founding partners of Investcorp, an international investment bank with offices in New York, London, and the Middle East.  He served as a senior executive responsible for growing the firm’s assets in North America and Europe and increased his investment to become one of the firm’s significant shareholders.  Oliver’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch The Richardson Company, which secured and focused on investments in niche-driven, middle market companies.  He found great satisfaction in his work and served as CEO of The Richardson Company until his health compelled him to retire.  Throughout his career, he was honored with countless awards and accolades, too numerous to enumerate. 

Ironically, Guru Purnima, a Hindu holiday to commemorate the importance of Guru (teacher) was celebrated on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.  While Oliver was not Hindu, he remained humble and was teacher to all.  He encouraged those around him and emphasized the criticality of education and hard work.  He embodied this and was a lifelong stellar example of how drive, sacrifice, and perseverance could help his family and friends achieve their goals.  While he was a successful businessman and, as much as he prioritized work, he also cherished time with family, loved to golf, traveled the world, and was open to new experiences everywhere he went.  He spoke several languages and was a voracious reader, yet he remained humble and enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  To know Oliver, was to love him.  Standing 6’6”, he stood out wherever he went.  His zeal for life, love of adventure, unsparing generosity, and the way he personally cared about and touched everyone he encountered, will never be forgotten.  He was a beautiful and rare spirit.

Oliver was predeceased by his nephew Marc Richardson, Arlington, VA.  He is survived by his brother Karl Richardson, Gaithersburg, MD; sisters, Jo-Anne Richardson-Vincent, Pittsburgh, PA and Linda Vaughan (Louis), Fredericksburg, VA.; nieces, Alisa Vincent, Berkeley, CA, Karyn Richardson, Woodbridge, VA; nephews, Karl Richardson II, Mechanicsville, MD, Michael Johnson, Richmond, VA; grandnieces and nephew, Olivia Richardson-Isaac (his namesake), Michael and Christy Anderson-Johnson; uncle, Stanford Rollins; aunt, Yvonne Rollins; extended family, Linnie Hatcher, Allison Johnson, Loran (Lydia) and Lance (Lezlie) Hatcher, Shari Thomas (Robert); godchildren, Greg Gunn and Noelle Phansalkar, Brooklyn, NY and companion, Kristin Cheung, Staten Island, NY.  He leaves behind many close family members and his global family of people who knew, worked with, and respected him. 

A memorial service for Oliver will be announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations, in Oliver Edward Richardson Jr.’s name, to your favorite charity or

The Prostate Cancer Foundation - a 501(c)(3) charitable organization

https://www.pcf.org

EIN #95-4418411

1250 Fourth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) - a 501(c)(3) charitable organization     

https://www.lbda.org

EIN: 05-0577683
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047

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