Obituary for
Richard Henry Burton
Westborough/Northborough
Richard “Dick” H. Burton passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and friends on November 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; Billie Jean Sellers and her husband Jason of Worcester; also surviving are six grandchildren: Thomas, Corrine, Devon, Amelia, Tyler, and D'Artagnan; and 1 great-granddaughter Brooklyn; siblings, Barbara, Sylvia, Margaret, Warren, Shirley and Janice; 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. Mr. Burton 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. Mr. Burton established RHB Electronics in Northborough, working many years along-side 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. Dick was a member of the Wind Committee in Northborough and a longtime active member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Burton also enjoyed summering in Hull with his beloved wife and family.
A calling hour will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 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 St. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gideons International, www2.gideons.org/donate or by phone at 866-382-4253; ASPCA at www.aspca.org/donate. Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St. Northborough is honored to assist the Burton family with arrangements.
