Obituary of Richard Morton

Richard Charles Morton, Sr. Olean, NY Richard Charles Morton, Sr., 86, of 126 S. Fourth St., went home to be with God on Wednesday (January 25, 2012) in his home. Fondly referred to as "Dick" by all who knew and loved him, he was surrounded by his loving wife and all seven children. Born May 9, 1925 in Olean, NY, he was the son of John J. and Florence Sigel Morton. On August 27, 1951 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean he married Kathleen A. Hannon who survives. Dick graduated from Olean High School in 1942 and from St. Bonaventure University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He proudly served in WWII as a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946, in the Korean Conflict as a lieutenant from 1951 to 1953, and served in the US Army Reserve from 1953 to 1985, retiring as a Captain after thirty years of service. Prior to and following service to his country, he worked for the United States Postal Service in Olean for thirty four years, beginning at age 16, and retiring as Foreman of Mails in 1974. Dick was a lifetime member of St. Mary of the Angels Church, the Olean Knight's of Columbus Council #338, the Olean American Legion Post #530 and the Olean VFW Post #1619. Dick's seven children include Kathleen (Luis) Figueroa of Tucson, AZ, Margaret (Richard) Smith of Olean, John (Colleen Taggerty) Morton of Olean, Richard (Julie) Morton, Jr. of Salamanca, Thomas (Patti) Morton of Olean, Christopher Morton of Olean and Ann Morton McCann of Rockledge, FL. Dick was the proud grandfather of twelve devoted grandchildren Keith Wilson, Heather Wilson, Colleen Smith, Shannon (Kenny) Daignault, Kathleen (David) Dozier, Michael (Natalie) Smith, Brittney Morton, the late Andrea Morton, Eric Morton, Max Morton, Kellie Ann McCann and Michael Perry. Dick was also blessed with five great grandchildren; one sister Mary B. Spencer of Tucson, AZ and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his granddaughter Andrea Morton he was predeceased by a brother John "Jack" Morton; a son-in-law Jeffrey McCann and a brother-in-law Eugene Spencer. Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean where a prayer service will be held Saturday (January 28, 2012) at 9:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial, with full military honors being accorded by the ritual team of the Allegany American Legion, will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Mary of the Angels Church Renovation Memorial Fund.