Richard Harriman Leighton

1932 - 2024

Richard Harriman Leighton
08/09/2024
Richard (Dick) Leighton entered into eternal rest at home, in Guilford, on Friday, August 9th, 2024, with his family by his side. He leaves his beloved wife, Sheila, of 65 years who he maintained was his soul mate, best friend and dedicated caregiver. Dick was born on January 14th, 1932, in Eastport, Maine, the son of late Frank E. Leighton and Alberta Harriman Leighton. Besides his wife Sheila, he is survived by his children, Terri Leighton Polo (Ron) of Falmouth, MA, Richard H. Leighton, Jr. (Dottie) of Middletown, CT, Nanci Leighton Brake (Darrell) of Madison, CT and Frank Edward Leighton (Jannette) of North Haven, CT. He is also survived by four precious grandchildren, Erica Leighton Williamson (Bryan), Richard Joseph Leighton (Josephine), Megan Mary Leighton (Cody) and Darrell Christopher Brake, mother of his grandchildren Diane D. Leighton, two very special great-grandchildren, Jack and Madelyn Williamson, nephews Hal Clark (Shirley) and Richard Clark (Lisa) and several cousins in Maine. Dick was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Leighton Clark and her husband Harold L. Clark.
Dick served in the US Navy from 1951-1955, traveling to numerous foreign countries. Upon discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at the University of Hartford, graduating with a B.S. in 1959 and a M.B.A in 1969. He was selected to the "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" in 1959. After working in various marketing positions at Connecticut Mutual Insurance, Warnaco, Winchester Firearms and Peter Paul Cadbury, Dick retired from Cadbury U.S.A as a Director, Marketing Planning and Development.
He enjoyed hunting, trap/skeet shooting, playing baseball, swimming, jogging, bowling and being a long-time billiard player at the Guilford Community Center. He looked forward to his annual trip to Maine to reconnect with old friends, attend hometown celebrations and enjoy the serenity at Lake Pennamaquam. He was an avid crossword puzzle solver and wrote poetry extensively, having been recognized by the National Library of Poetry with poems published in "Best Poems of 1995", Tears of Fire 1994, Dark Side of the Moon 1995, and Echoes of Yesterday 1995. In 1994, Dick was one of ten finalists at the International Society of Poetry Convention in Washington, DC honoring his poem entitled The Calling of the Sea. Dick was a member of the Korean War Veteran's Association, the American Legion Post 0048 and a former member of The Knights of Pythias. He enjoyed a quiet, rustic life and the majestic beauty of nature.
The family would like to thank Dick's caregivers, Karen, Kyle and Cindy, who have compassionately care for him during the past two years.
Calling hours will be held at the Guilford Funeral Home on Friday, August 16th 2024, from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George Church, Guilford, CT on Saturday, August 17th, 20204 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Alder Brook Cemetery in Guilford, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate to a charity of your choice.
To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com