Westborough/Northborough – Richard “Dick” H. Burton passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family and friends, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. He was 74.
Dick leaves his devote wife of 52 years, Patricia M. (DesLauriers) Burton; his loving children, Mark Burton and his wife Lori of Berlin, Selene Melanson and Christopher St. George of Northborough, Christopher Burton of Worcester, and Billie Jean Sellers and her husband Jason of Worcester; six grandchildren, Thomas, Corrine, Devon, Amelia, Tyler, and D’Artagnan; one great-granddaughter Brooklyn; siblings, Barbara, Sylvia, Margaret, Warren, Shirley and Janice; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Phillip Burton.
He was born in Boston, the son of the late Donald and Susan (Gidley) Burton, and graduated from Swansea High School, class of 1961. He continued his studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, earning his associate degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964.
Dick’s professional career began at Digital Equipment Corp. in Maynard for 11 years in the Power Supply Department. He went on to work at Methods Machine Tool in Sudbury during the 1980s. He established RHB Electronics in Northborough, working many years alongside his son, Mark, until his retirement in 2014. He was known as an inventor and patent holder.
Dick and Pat were foster parents for 11 babies over the course of 10 years.
He was a member of the Wind Committee in Northborough and a longtime active member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church. He also enjoyed summering in Hull with his beloved wife and family.
A calling hour will be held Friday, Dec. 2, from 10-11 a.m., in Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 85 Lincoln St., Northborough, followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Howard Street Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gideons International at www2.gideons.org/donate or by phone at 866-382-4253 or ASPCA at www.aspca.org/donate.
Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough is honored to assist the Burton family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
