Richard Acton, 71, passed away on May 25th, 2026 at his home in Leesburg, Florida.
Richard was born on August 19th, 1954, in Milford, CT, to Jeanette and Arnold W. Acton. Richard graduated from Jonathan Law High School in 1972. Not long after graduating, he joined the Navy and was enlisted for eight years between 1977-1985.
During his time in the service, he achieved the rank of Operations Specialist First Class and was an integral part of his division as Leading Petty Officer. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Francis Hammond and the U.S.S. Sterett, his time in the Navy took him all over the world: Puerto Rico, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines. His exemplary service earned him numerous accolades including the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Navy ‘E’ Ribbon. Richard was infinitely proud of his time in the Navy and deeply cherished the life-long friends he made along the way.
Upon his return to the States, he put down roots in his hometown and started building a rewarding life for himself. He accomplished a fruitful career in the automotive industry, spanning over 25 years. Eventually, he retired and became a part of a community in a place he always loved: Florida.
A lover of music, Richard practiced guitar all throughout his life, amassing a small collection of quality acoustic guitars. Beyond just practice, he also frequently performed at local venues in Connecticut and Florida alike. Richard enjoyed landscaping and tending to his gardens, taking great pride in their care and appearance. He kept his love of traveling, frequently jet-setting to destinations such as Mexico and numerous countries in Europe with his partner, Sharon Beauton. Always dependable and ready to lend a helping hand, he made numerous friends and became a highly regarded figure in his community for his involvement and desire to build up Lake Yale Estates.
Richard will be lovingly remembered in eternity by his daughter, Alyssa Acton of Mystic, CT, his sister Wendy Zientek of Northford, CT, and his partner of over 14 years, Sharon Beauton, her three children, and six grandsons. He is also deeply missed by former shipmates and friends all over the world, but his memory and impact will never be forgotten.