Fred R. Dighton

Fred Richard Dighton (Dick) was admired and loved by many. He was a faithful Catholic, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, foster grandfather, uncle, brother, and son. To family and friends who knew him best he will be remembered as a generous, patriotic, good natured, and often mischievous man, who loved to laugh, and who loved his wife, his country, animals, children, golf, building models of military aircraft and ships…and chocolate.

Dick was born on March 6, 1926 at City Hospital in Worcester, MA. He was the son of Fred G. and Theresa Dighton. He was raised there with his sister Virginia (McGinn). They could laugh for hours relating stories of their childhood antics.

Pearl Harbor was attacked when Dick was 16 years old. On his 17th birthday he left his junior year in high school to join the US Navy and was trained at Pearl Harbor as a turret gunner on a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. He was deployed aboard the USS Bunker Hill to the Western Pacific where he served in the battles of Truk, Palau, Leyte, Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, all before his 20th birthday.

After he returned from the war he completed high school. It was there that he met his best and lifelong friend, Bill Mullen. After graduation he began his career with New England Telephone Company as a cable splicer.

On December 24, 1945 he met the love of his life, Barbara Marie Graves. His eyes lit up every time he told the story of their meeting. It was love at first sight. They became engaged in April of 1946 and were married on May 24, 1947 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in East Millbury, MA. Their reception followed at the Edgewood House and they honeymooned in Atlantic City.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Richard Dighton began their life together in a one room flat with a shared bath, a hot plate and a small refrigerator. They celebrated 66 years of faithful marriage before Barbara passed away in 2013.

On May 31, 1948 Barbara and Dick were blessed with a son Richard, the first of their five children. Three years later they welcomed Judith (Judy), followed by another daughter, Dale, and two sons, Michael (Mike), and Timothy (Tim). Dick was devoted to his wife and children. He worked long hours and overtime so Barbara could be a full time Mom. They taught their children well in the ways of the Church, and held high expectations for them. Their daughter Dale, passed away from complications of lung disease at age 49 in 2003. As adults their children have blessed them with fifteen grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, His grandchildren are Lynnette, Page, Quinn, Christine, Rebecca, Christopher, Lauren, Jennifer, Pamela, Erin, Charlie, Jason, Jake, Derek, and Kaylin. Great-Grandchildren include Madysen, Lauren, Ava, Bayla, JT, Julia, Reilly, Chloe, Tess, Mckenzie, Lanie, Zachary, Andrew, and Evan. He has also been a loving Foster Papa to many of his daughter's foster babies.

Dick retired from Southern Bell Telephone Company in 1983 and moved with Barbara to Ocala, Florida where he built his new home with the help of a dear friend Ron Jeglie. They lived there for the next 14 years before relocating to Texas to live with their daughter, Judy and family. Shortly after, they moved with them to California where they enjoyed being so close to Dick’s sister Virginia and her family. In 2005 Dick and Barbara moved back to Texas with Judy’s family and lived in a Casita beside them until Barbara passed away in 2013.

In his free time Dick enjoyed fishing, playing softball, woodworking, golf, building WWII model aircraft and ships, playing bingo with Barbara at the Senior Center, playing cards with family and friends, telling stories of his mischievous childhood endeavors, and caring for his constant companion and “buddy” Sophie, his dog. He and Barbara prepared and delivered lunches weekly to underprivileged school children in Los Angeles

Dick was always an active member of whatever parish he belonged to. He was a Knight of Columbus, an adult altar server, and loved serving at parish festivals.

He was a lifelong patriot, serving his country selflessly in WWII and then again in the Korean War. He had great respect for the US flag, and every morning after dressing he could be seen standing at attention saluting that Flag which flew in his backyard. His patriotism inspired two of his sons to serve. Currently 4 of his grandchildren are serving in the military as well.

Dick and Barbara enjoyed vacationing with their best friends Bill and Rita Mullen when their children were young. They saved all year for their annual vacation at a lakeside cabin in New Hampshire with their 10 children. The quarters and budgets were tight but the families loved spending time together swimming, fishing, canoeing, playing cards, flashlight tag, and other games. When the children were older, vacations included camping trips in the family pop up camper.

When the kids left home, vacations involved visiting children and grandchildren in MN, FL, NC, and CA. Other favorites included an Anniversary celebration in Ireland, a family vacation in Hawaii, and two beach vacations in South Carolina.

Dick loved animals………..all animals. Judy has many childhood memories of her Dad collecting injured animals from the roadside, and nursing them back to health. His favorites include his childhood dog Teddy, his cat named Sabatha (Sabbie) who kept them company for 16 years, and his sweet Sophie, a Bijon Poodle mix.

What Dick found most precious in life was the gift of his wife, Barbara. He was devoted to her and was devastated when she passed 6 years ago. His only wish was to reunite with her.

That wish came true on August 31, 2019 when he passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s. He struggled with the disease for more than 10 years, but his passing was gentle. His son Richard, daughter Judy, and Son-in-law Richard were with him, as were many of his Caretakers and hospice workers at the Auberge Memory Care Community in Cedar Park where he had been living for the past 18 months.

He is survived by his children, Richard Dighton and wife Kendall, Judy Ames and husband Richard, Michael Dighton and wife Barbara, and Timothy Dighton and wife Karen; his sister Virginia, his 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and foster grandchildren.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, October 4, 2019 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 10 am in the Chapel.

Dick will be laid to rest with Military honors at Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd., Lantana, Florida at 11 am on October 10.

Simply stated, Dick lived for his family, his country and his faith. He will be remembered as generous, hard working, fun loving with a heart for service to others. He leaves behind a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ~

The Gary Sinise Foundation at:

PO BOX 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org

The Austin Dog Alliance at:

The Dog Alliance-Hounds for Heroes

1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613

https://www.thedogalliance.org