Richard C. "Dick" Leighton
Longtime Member of the Tewksbury Congregational Church
TEWKSBURY: Richard C. "Dick" Leighton, age 88, recently of Coventry, RI, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away at the New England Bay Assisted Living in Coventry, RI on Monday, September 23, 2013.
He was the beloved husband of Jean F. (Tucker) Leighton, who passed away on April 4, 2010.
Born in Salem, MA on May 13, 1925, he was the son of the late Harry Leighton and the late Margaret (Locke) Leighton.
Dick was raised in Salem, attended Salem schools and later graduated from Cushing Academy.
in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Dick served during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Area and participated in action during the Consolidation of the Solomons.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 25 years by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he worked as a Lab Technician.
Dick resided in Tewksbury for 51 years until moving to Coventry, RI in 2010.
He was a longtime member and Life Deacon of the Tewksbury Congregational Church.
In earlier years, he and his late wife were members of the Tewksbury Interfaith Choir.
Dick was active in Scouting for 65 years and was the former Troop Master of Tewksbury Troop 47. In addition, he was the former District Commissioner of Pack 47 and the Wamesit Council.
He is survived by one son, Peter R. Leighton and his wife Deborah of Coventry, RI; two daughters, Karen J. Schena and her husband James of Cape May, NJ and Nancy J. Matthews of Richmond, VA; four grandchildren, Peter R. Leighton, Jr., Kristian Schena, Katherine Dowd and her husband Michael, and Alexandra Leighton; three great grandchildren, Michael, Colin and Reagan Dowd.
Dick was the brother of the late Robert Leighton.
Calling hours will be Friday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury, immediately followed by Services to be held in the funeral home. Following cremation, interment will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, MA. Please Omit Flowers. Donations in his memory may be made to the Tewksbury Congregational Church, 10 East St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.