Richard G. Morton, 92, of Farmington, died peacefully Aug. 14 at the Pierce House.
He was born Aug. 27, 1918 in Farmington, the son of Lloyd B. and Gladys Matthieu Morton. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1936 and from the University of Maine, as a mechanical engineer in 1940. He married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Atwood, at his grandparent’s home in Farmington on March 8, 1941. He and Barbie loved to dance, once she taught him the steps.
Their first home together was in Hawthorne, N.J. where Richard worked as a field engineer for Wright Aeronautical, testing airplane engines. Together with their brother-in-law, Sonny Austin, they heard the Sunday morning news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and rushed to Times Square to experience the event. Soon thereafter Richard entered active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army and served as an anti-aircraft battery commander in WWII, 4th Army, 377th Anti-Aircraft battalion landing in Normandy and fighting through France, the Ardennes, and into Southern Germany, receiving the Bronze Star and leaving the service with the rank of Major.
After the war, Richard set aside his desire to be a professional engineer and returned to Farmington to help his father run the Morton Motor Company automobile business and to bring up his family in the town that he loved. He and Barbara built a home and a life together until her death on March 11, 2005. He gave back to his community as a school committee member, town budget and loan committee member, occasional moderator, hospital trustee and Farmington Public Library Trustee. He was a leader and key participant in the efforts to build the new Farmington High School (now the middle school) and Mount Blue High School and to relocate and build a new Franklin Memorial Hospital. He was also a Director and President of the Maine Automobile Dealers Association, a director and board chairman of The First Bank N.A. in Farmington and later a Director of Merrill Bank. He was a Mason, a Shriner, a past president of Farmington Lions Club and a Deacon and 25-year choir member of Old South Congregational Church. He also received the ‘M’ Award for service to the University of Maine.
Richard’s public service continued as a member of the Maine Executive Council 1967/68 under Governor Curtis, in the Maine House of Representatives from 1973 to 1980, serving on Appropriations, Taxation and Veterans and Retirement, and on the Maine Ethics Commission. All who worked with him in any capacity spoke of his high intellect, great work ethic, integrity, and commitment to fairness.
Richard was a devoted husband, father and grandfather enjoying concerts, plays, ballgames and any other activity involving his family, and creating a special and enduring connection for all of them with the long time family cottages at Pemaquid and Varnum Ponds. He loved to read history, science and biographies and was always ready to challenge his children to quizzes on any subject. He patiently taught each generation to play cribbage.
In retirement, Richard and Barbara traveled the world retracing his wartime routes in England and Europe and visiting their son in Korea and Japan.
Richard was predeceased by his sister, Betty Austin and her husband Nelson “Sonny” Austin; and his wife’s siblings, Donald Atwood of Wilton, Earl “Bussie” Atwood of Farmington, Shirley Hawkens of Derby, Vt., Gretchen Bell of Bucksport and Norma Decker of Bucksport.
He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Hylan and husband Dan of Farmington and Patricia Larson and husband Ed of North Wayne; son, Richard M. Morton and wife Joyce of Farmington; grandchildren, Marion Hylan Barr of Hallowell, Daniel F. Hylan of Skowhegan, Rebecca Larson Lord of Washington, D.C., Christina Larson Belknap of Orono, John D. Morton of New Salem, Mass. and Miles L. Morton of New York City; great-granddaughter, Clio Barr; sister-in-law, Olive Bailey of Sarasota, Fla.; brother-in-law, William Hawkens of Derby, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services 3 p.m., Sun., Aug. 21 at First Congregational Church of Farmington (Old South), Main St., Farmington, with the Rev. Kim Hoare officiating. Interment with Military and Masonic Ceremonies immediately following at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Morton’s memory may be made to Farmington Public Library, 117 Academy St., Farmington, ME 04938.
Condolences may be sent to family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Adams-Mcfarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington.
