Richard C. Newton

Richard C. Newton, 72, of 3671 Chestnut Hill Avenue, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at his summer residence on Queen Lake in Phillipston.

He was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, October 12, 1935 the son of Carl O. and Dorothy M. (Laford) Newton. He grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1953.

Richard served with the Army National Guard for several years. He started working for the L.S. Starrett Company in 1953, working in research and development, later becoming the works manager until his retirement in 2001 after 48 years with the company.

He was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks #1837, the Edward H. Phillips American Legion Post #102, and was a former member of the Ellinwood Country Club. Richard served the Town of Athol on the finance committee, the personnel board and the school committee. He also served on the board of directors of the Athol Area Y.M.C.A. for several years. He enjoyed golfing and spending time at his summer home on Queen Lake.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Joan (DeSantis) Newton; a son, Brian Newton and his wife Jody of Athol; three daughters, Cheryl Levesque and her husband Paul of Northborough, Cathy Savoy and her husband Michael of Athol, and Susan Piro and her husband Stan of Orange; seven grandchildren, Aimee and Tom Levesque, Carrie, Melissa and Sara Newton, and Timothy and Nicole Savoy. He also leaves two brothers, William Newton and his wife Faye of Marietta, GA and John Newton and his wife Diane of Athol; and a sister, Jane Newton of Rutland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. There are no calling hours and those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to church on Thursday. Burial will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery and in lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: the National Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer, 6116 Executive Blvd., Room 3036A, Bethesda, MD 20892-8322 or a charity of the donor's choice. Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:

higginsoconnor

funeralhome.com