Lawton, Richard W., age 78, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on July 5, 2015. Born in Silver Creek, NY, son of Edwin and DeEtta Lawton. A graduate of Silver Creek Grammar School and Forestville Central High School. Also a graduate of the Kansas City School of Aeronautics, DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois and Simmons School of Embalming located in Syracuse, NY. Employed a short time with Northwest Orient Airlines, and many years in the funeral business retiring in 1993, due to a disability, as manager for the Cornell & Dagget, Inc. Funeral Chapel.

Married to Mary Commisso in 1963 at the former Our Lady of Lebanon R.C. Church. They resided for a short time in Rochester, NY where he was employed at Eastman Kodak Co. returning to Niagara Falls in late 1969.

A former member of many local organizations, he joined the Knights of Columbus in the mid 1970's where he served in many capacities. He is a past Grand Knight of Niagara Council 247, past Faithful Navigator of Niagara Assembly and a past district deput for the Western Chapter Knights of Columbus. He was also a current member of the Father Baker Assembly in Tonawanda, NY. During his lifetime he enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising and training dogs and horses, as well as tending to his garden and woodcrafts.

In addition to Mary, he is survived by three daughters, Sherri (Thomas) Teeto of Lewiston, NY, Michelle (Roy) Wagner of Ransomville, NY and Nicole (William) Cody of Lewiston, NY; eight grandchildren, Thomas "TJ" II Teeto, Ryan Teeto, Samantha Wagner, Patrick Wagner, William II Cody, Alec Cody, Evan Cody and Nathan Cody. He is also survived by several cousins and his brothers and sisters in law. Richard was predeceased by his brother Thomas Lawton.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8th from 4 - 8 P.M. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10:00 A.M. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. Interment in Mt. View Cemetery, Perkin, NY. If desired, memorials may be made to the national or local ASPCA or to a charity of one's choice.