Richard Beaton - 1945-2013

Old Sedberghians will be very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Richard Beaton, a student at Sedbergh from 1959 to 1963.

The most gregarious of human beings, Richard loved life, music, literature and helping out wherever he could, He spent much of his life as a very successful and well loved "he had a voice like silk" CBC radio broadcaster in St. John's Newfoundland. He was always very interested in people and made everyone he met feel good about themselves. "A man of the world and a friend", "a sweet man" describes Richard well. One of his most wonderful qualities was that he loved to chat. There is a story that goes "He could talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you almost to the point of missing his news broadcast because he'd get so engaged in a conversation, and suddenly - whoops!, he would take off to the studio just in time to get the news on the air".

Richard's time at Sedbergh was a happy time. He made good friends who are still very close to him, he loved to read and loved the out of doors. As one of his teachers, I found him a very gentle and caring young man. I remember him well, concentrating in English class as we read books and quoted poetry.

Six months ago, Richard graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. All his life, he had vowed to do that. "You never stop learning" were his words!

The following obituary appeared yesterday in the ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM:

Richard Beaton passed peacefully away on November 17th, 2013 at the Health Sciences Centre in the presence of his family, Richard, age 68, left with fond and loving memories his wife of 38 years, Marilyn (Avery), daughters Jill and Nancy (Craig Cutler) and granddaughter, Billie; brother, John (Marybeth) of Fredericton, NB; sister, Mary (Bill Bennett) of Cambridge, On; sisters-in-law Judy (Geoff Rideout), Dale (Calvin Morgan) and Faye (Hughie Fagan); many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends around the world. Resting at Carnell's Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 11:00am from St. Mark's Anglican Church, Logy Bay Road. Cremation to follow with interment to take place on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:00am at the Anglican Cemetery, Kenmount Road. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations in his memory may be made to the SPCA. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit www.carnells.com

All Old Sedberghians send our heartfelt condolences to Marilyn, to his children and to his many friends. He will be missed.