Richard E. Lawton

February 26, 1952 - May 5, 2018

COLEBROOK – Richard Lawton, 66, of Colebrook passed away on Saturday evening, May 5, 2018, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital with his wife and members of his family by his side, and after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in West Stewartstown on Feb. 26, 1952, the third son to the late Elmer and Blanche (Gray) Lawton. Richie was a 1970 graduate of Colebrook Academy, and he later joined the U.S. Navy after school and served as a radio operator aboard the USS Milwaukee during the Vietnam conflict. Prior to his military service, and then again afterwards for almost 40 years, Richie was the production manager for the Tillotson Rubber Co. He was also a 20-year member of the Colebrook Fire Dept. from 1989-2009, serving on the ladder & rescue company. He was an avid sports fan of all the New England professional sports teams. Always the navy man, Richie loved to go on cruises, and he also just enjoyed going out for drives. He was a member of the VFW in North Stratford and the American Legion Post 47 in Canaan. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a devoted family man, always willing to help others, and he will be truly be missed by all. Richie is survived by his wife, Trisha (Marier) Lawton of Colebrook; his daughter, Victoria Lawton of Colebrook; 14 siblings, Ronald Lawton (Mary Ann) of Portsmouth, NH, Gerald Lawton (Bonnie) of Colebrook, E. Sue Bailey (Dennis) of Colebrook, Raymond Lawton of Colebrook, Linda Perry (Dennis) of Columbia, Beverly Hibbard (Elliott) of Berlin, NH, Irene Maxwell (Robin) of Colebrook, Deborah Lawton (Bill Carter) of Fairbanks, Alaska, Robert Lawton (Josee) of Columbia, David Lawton of West Stewartstown, Cindy Hamel (Ray) of Colebrook, Cheryl Curley (Mark) of Huntsville, Ala., Kathleen Lawton-Haynes (Kerry) of Colebrook, and Daniel Lawton (Julie) of Beecher Falls; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by two sons, Shawn and Eric Lawton. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, May 18, at 11 a.m. in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Lawton may be made to Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.