Obituary

Richard Harriman Leighton

Guilford

Richard “Dick” Leighton entered into eternal rest at home in Guilford on Aug. 9, 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 Jan. 14, 1932, in Eastport, Maine, the son of the late Frank E. Leighton and Alberta Harriman Leighton. Besides his wife Sheila, he is survived by his children, Terri Leighton Polo (Ron) of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Richard H. Leighton, Jr. (Dottie) of Middletown, Nanci Leighton Brake (Darrell) of Madison, and Frank Edward Leighton (Jannette) of North Haven. 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 U.S. 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 Pennamaquan. 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 10 finalists at the International Society of Poetry Convention in Washington, D.C., 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 cared for him during the past two years.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at the Guilford Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at St. George Church, Guilford. Burial will follow at Alder Brook Cemetery in Guilford. 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.