Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
William.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for William F. Riski
William F. Riski, a retired Vice President of Precision Metalsmiths, Inc., died April 5th, 2014, at Hospice by the Sea Care Center in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 86. Bill was born to John and Anna Riski on May 24, 1927, in Caldwell, Ohio, the second youngest of eight children. He graduated from St. Philomena High School in 1944 at the age of 17, enlisted in the U.S. Army a year later, and served in and around Paris, France, at the end of WWII.
After his honorable discharge in 1947, Bill attended John Carroll University in Cleveland and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Class of 1951. He joined PMI and rose to become Vice President of Production. He was an avid sportsman, woodworker, and member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, where he and Amy lived for nearly 60 years while raising three children. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, a Diamondhead Condo Association Member, and a shuffleboard team member in Hillsboro Beach, Florida, during his retirement years.
Bill’s passion for the outdoors regularly took his family to national parks. Camping together, they explored Yellowstone, the Tetons, Grand Canyon, and others in the 1960s. Breaking camp at dawn, it wasn’t unusual to hear him call out, “Let’s go. It’s Burning Daylight,” borrowing the phrase from the famous Jack London novel.
Another passion was aviation. Bill took his family to the Cleveland National Air Show regularly and followed the accomplishments of NASA and its Apollo Mission. In pursuit of aviation history, Bill eventually attended the International Paris Air Show in the mid 1980s.
Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Amy Bowen Riski, son William A. Riski (Laura) of Montclair, Virginia, daughter Betty Pinto (Vince) of Willowick, Ohio, and son Richard J. Riski (Cheryl) of Port Angeles, Washington. He is also survived by a brother, Bernard Riski (Dorothy), two sisters, Helen Speltz and Martha Estadt, five grandchildren, Jennifer Tice (Joe), Beth Riski, Mike Pinto (Jennifer), Matt Pinto (Kerry) and Alden Riski, and four great- grandchildren, Cadence Winsjansen, Hayden Pinto, Quinn Pinto, and Jacob Pinto. Preceding Bill in death were one brother and three sisters.
Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be observed at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24th, at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Caldwell, Ohio, with Rev. Fr. Wayne Morris as celebrant. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery.
We will all miss his wry sense of humor and inquisitive mind.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate to Hospice by the Sea Care Center, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33486, or online at www.hbts.org. McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, in Caldwell is caring for the family.
