Richard Walter Easton

Richard Walter Easton – Obituary

On Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, Richard Walter Easton passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital at age 79.  Residing in Wirral, New Brunswick, he was a son of the late Walter and Vivian (Graham) Easton, and a loving husband to Frances (McGivern), his wife of 56 years.  He is also survived by their children Andrew (Debbie) and Pam (James), their grandchildren Morgan (Alex), Raine (Connor), Noah and Faith. He is also survived by his sisters Ellen (Tanya) and Nancy, sisters-in-law Deb and Carol, and many cousins, nieces, nephews. His brothers Charlie (2018) and Paul (2013) and niece Rachael died previously.

Richard graduated from the Maritime Forest Ranger School and worked for 32 years with the federal Canadian Forestry Service where he was known as “Dick Easton”. He chased the Spruce Budworm from the shores of Miramichi Bay to the headwaters of the Tobique, and from the rocks of Spednic Lake to the backside of Harcourt.   There weren’t many backroads of New Brunswick he had not travelled and while there could not find someone he knew to start a conversation with.   He was a farmer, with his Uncle Ralph, on his property, when he wasn’t travelling the woods and rivers of New Brunswick.   Life for Richard often meant you were gone before daylight and back after dark, and often more.   

Richard was a kind and generous man, with his words and his time.  Some of his favourite activities included: East Long and Loon Lake Fishing Club; McCready Lake Sports Club; a firefighter with Hoyt Volunteer Fire Department; an Emergency Medical Technician with Sunbury West Volunteer Ambulance Service; Wirral Community Organization; Patterson United Church Men’s Club and Choir; White Rapids Manor Wheelchair Bus; and he could be found drying dishes at any community breakfast.

Richard and his brother Charlie were Masons at the Sunbury Lodge #42 and later the Cherry Mountain Lodge in Harvey, and members of the Fredericton Shrine Club.  

Eventually, Richard and Frances spent their retirement summers at Lakeside Campgrounds in Waterborough where they had many friends, he was known for playing crib, telling tall tales and teasing his friends and family.

Family and friends are invited to the Sunbury Funeral Home in Central Blissville, NB for Visitations on Thursday October 20, 2022, from 2-7 pm.  The Funeral Service will be held at the Patterson United Church on Friday October 21, 2022 at 1pm with Reverend Kate Jones officiating.    Burial will be at the South Oromocto Lake Cemetery following the ceremony, with a short reception at Wirral Community Hall thereafter.  Members of uniformed services are asked to attend either event in Class A Dress with top cover, or Day/Duty Dress with Tie, at the request of Mrs. Frances Easton.

 Arrangements are in the Professional Care of Sunbury Funeral Home, Central Blissville, NB (368-2413). Condolences:sunburyfuneralhome.com  Donations can be made to the Wirral Community Organization, the Kidney Foundation, Shriners or a charity of your choice.