Richard J. Bolton

Richard James Bolton (82), of Westwood, entered into eternal rest on September 1, 2025. Born in Brooklyn to a loving family, he is reunited in heaven with his younger brother Frederick and their parents, Frederick Bolton and Anne Loftus.

Growing up on Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn, both Bolton boys were surrounded by the love of Grandparents Martin and Anna Loftus, Aunt Sally and Uncle Marty Loftus, and Aunt Eileen and Uncle Jimmy Loftus.

Richie was a graduate of Brooklyn's own Blessed Sacrament Grammar school and St. Francis Prep, where he played football.

In 1967, he was drafted into the Army and attended bootcamp in Fort Jackson. He was sent to Louisiana before being deployed to Vietnam. While serving in the army, he achieved the rank Sgt. first class and earned a bronze star for heroically leading his men in ground combat.

When he returned from Vietnam, his life changed when he met Mary Ann Moeser on a skiing trip arranged by a group of friends. After years of dating, she would become his loving wife of over 51 years and mother to their children, Ryan, Kelly and Sean.

He joined his Uncle Marty and Uncle Jimmy at Martin J. Loftus Carpets where he spent many happy and successful years as a carpet salesman. In 2000, he bought the company from his uncle and ran it until retiring in 2022. His son, Sean, joined him and they worked side by side for many happy years.

In 2015, his world changed again with the arrival of his grandson, Dylan Lyam Pacheco Bolton. The two spent many happy days together, most often at a lake, on the beach or tucked into a booth at a diner.

In 2018 the full effects of his time in the army and exposure to Agent Orange became known. Always the optimist, he dealt with every new challenge with a smile backed by faith in God and more strength than humanly possible. He spent his last years under the careful care of his daughter Kelly the nurse, enjoying the boardwalk and breezes of Ocean Gate.

He leaves behind his wife, three kids, son-in-law Joseph Pacheco, grandson Dylan, sister-in-law Kathleen, his goddaughters Anne and Jeanne, many cherished cousins and many dearly loved nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by all but left behind a lifetime of lessons on faith, love, strength and the value of hard work and patience.

A Viewing will be held at Anderson Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River on Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 2:00pm-4:00pm & 7:00pm-9:00pm and on Monday, September 15, from 10:00am to 11:00am. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 15 at 11:30am at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ. Burial will follow at Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. In lieu of flowers, please consider having a Mass said in his memory.