Richard M. Oster, who rose to the top of the business world as chairman of the London-based Cookson Group PLC, a multinational company, died Monday at Providence's Miriam Hospital. A resident of Barrington, he was 73.

"He was a man of action and a great pride to our community and our people," said state Treasurer Frank Caprio, a longtime friend. "He's going to be dearly missed."

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Oster began his business career while in high school working at A. J. Oster Co., a metals supplier founded by his father, Aaron. He eventually became president of the firm, which he sold to Cookson in 1979. Oster joined Cookson at that point.

Oster was active in a variety of civic affairs and philanthropic causes and raised money for Rhode Island Special Olympics and the American Diabetes Foundation, among other groups. In 1987, then Gov. Ed DiPrete named him chairman of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which oversaw construction of one of the largest public-works projects in Rhode Island history. The Convention Center opened in 1994.

Oster was awarded honorary degrees from Brandeis University, Bryant University, Rhode Island College and New England Institute of Technology.

Among Oster's non-business passions were breeding Labrador retrievers -- two of his dogs won best of breed at New York's Westminster Kennel Club show -- and fishing. He won the Rhode Island Tuna Tournament several times.

Oster is survived by his wife, Sandra; five children, and seven grandchildren. Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Temple Emanuel in Providence.

-- Journal staff writer G. Wayne Miller