Rico Wynn

Smooth Sailing Sweet Prince. . . A Brother's Remembrance

The wonderful, funny, quirky, charismatic, and beloved force of nature, Rico Wynn, passed away, gently, on Tuesday evening, November 14, in Seattle. He was a month shy of his 87th birthday. His adored and adoring soulmate of 62 years, Heather, held him in her heart, and held his hand in hers, through all the decades, and to the end.

The other lights of Rico's life included daughters Rebecca Warnock, and son-in-law Scott, Tiffany Cardin, and Heather Ellen Lennon, and son-in-law Ed; his 7 grandkids Maya, Ava, Jimmy, Jesse, Sophia, Cooper and McGuire; and great grandkids Grayson and Weston. And over the years, his omnipresent canine companions included Bella, Billie Holiday, Fred Astair, Rocco, and Amigo.

Rico is also survived by his brother, Ken Silverman --- another huge Rico Wynn fan --- and he was predeceased by his brothers Barry and Jeffrey Silverman, and parents Harry and Roberta Silverman.

Those who knew Rico later in life, as a mild-mannered, home-loving and family-loving gentle man, might have great difficulty imagining his remarkably eclectic and colorful earlier years.
Born in New York City, during the Great Depression, he was a graduate of Virginia's Staunton Military Academy, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

As a dashing young Manhattan corporate executive, in the '50s, he developed a passion for Cuba, pre-Communism, and often spent long weekends there devouring the lush beaches, Latin music, and dazzling nightlife, and he regularly came back with custom-made silk suits and shirts.

Rico was in Havana when Castro marched in and was among the hundreds of Americans quickly evacuated by ship. During this same era, he enthusiastically nurtured his passions for the Broadway theatre, Greenwich Village jazz clubs, and British sports cars, and an active dating life that included Miss Universe 1960..

On June 22, '62, on a blind date, Rico met the radiant Heather Atkins, who would forever change, illuminate, and share his life. Each ultimately recognized, in the other, the singular person who would most provide the rock-solid foundation, and the overwhelming love, for which they'd each hoped and aspired. They were engaged on June 22, '63, and married on June 22 '64.

Together they built indestructible bonds and built a deeply devoted family.This empowered them all to navigate both high highs and low lows, but always moving forward.

Over the years they called NYC home, and Sands Point, Long Island, Las Vegas, Austin, Texas, and an especial favorite, Bullhead City, Arizona. Ultimately, they settled in their adored Seattle, in 1995, to again be closer to family.

Rico's careers were as diverse as his personality, including high-profile Wall Street trader, frontlines' hotel executive, pioneering health foods entrepreneur, confectionary alchemist extraordinaire, and others. Always he impressed with his keen subject-matter savvy, his ability to get things done, his personal warmth, and his ever-present and ever-edgy sense of humor.

Rico Wynn touched many, he cast a giant shadow, and he will be tremendously missed, most especially by those who loved him most and had the distinct blessing of calling him Sweetheart, Dad, Grandpa, brother, and friend.