Official Obituary of
Richard E Britton
January 17, 1946 ~ April 15, 2026 (age 80) 80 Years Old
Richard Britton Obituary
Richard E. Britton, 80, of Titusville, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Richard was born in Sewickley, PA, on January 17, 1946, to the late James and Georgia
Caldwell Britton. He married Bonnie L. Mertz on June 10, 1968, in Raleigh, NC.
He was a veteran of the United States Army who served during the Vietnam War. He entered
service on April 19, 1965, and completed two tours in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia on April 11, 1972, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He was a life member of the VFW.
Richard worked as a mechanic at Pittsburgh International Airport for US Air for many years. He later worked for Acutec in Meadville until his retirement.
Richard enjoyed racing cars in his younger years and had a lifelong love for anything with a
motor. He especially enjoyed watching NASCAR, camping with his family at AWRCS races,
traveling out of state to visit loved ones, and spending time hunting and fishing. A hard worker who never shied away from a challenge, Richard had a gift for conversation and storytelling and was known for his stubborn streak. He always put family first, and to him, family wasn't just defined by blood. He cherished time spent with family and friends and loved Sunday dinners surrounded by those he cared about. He was rarely known as Richard—he was simply "Pap" to those who loved him. He took great pride in his grandchildren and made sure everyone knew just how much they meant to him.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie of Titusville; his children, Kellie Swailes and husband Pete of Pine Bluff, NC, and Shannon Baker and husband Sylvester of Pleasantville; three
grandchildren, Calla Britton of Estes Park, CO, Sylvester Baker IV, and Sierra Baker, both of
Pleasantville; two brothers, Jimmy Smith of Englewood, FL, and Terry Britton and wife Trish of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Britton.
The family will receive friends at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc., 303 N. Washington St., Titusville, on Thursday, April 23rd, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Interment with full military honors will be conducted at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Rd, Bridgeville, PA 15017, on Monday, April 27th at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bruce Shorts Post 5958, VFW, 206 St. John St.,
Titusville, PA 16354.
Richard was born in Sewickley, PA, on January 17, 1946, to the late James and Georgia
Caldwell Britton. He married Bonnie L. Mertz on June 10, 1968, in Raleigh, NC.
He was a veteran of the United States Army who served during the Vietnam War. He entered
service on April 19, 1965, and completed two tours in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia on April 11, 1972, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He was a life member of the VFW.
Richard worked as a mechanic at Pittsburgh International Airport for US Air for many years. He later worked for Acutec in Meadville until his retirement.
Richard enjoyed racing cars in his younger years and had a lifelong love for anything with a
motor. He especially enjoyed watching NASCAR, camping with his family at AWRCS races,
traveling out of state to visit loved ones, and spending time hunting and fishing. A hard worker who never shied away from a challenge, Richard had a gift for conversation and storytelling and was known for his stubborn streak. He always put family first, and to him, family wasn't just defined by blood. He cherished time spent with family and friends and loved Sunday dinners surrounded by those he cared about. He was rarely known as Richard—he was simply "Pap" to those who loved him. He took great pride in his grandchildren and made sure everyone knew just how much they meant to him.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie of Titusville; his children, Kellie Swailes and husband Pete of Pine Bluff, NC, and Shannon Baker and husband Sylvester of Pleasantville; three
grandchildren, Calla Britton of Estes Park, CO, Sylvester Baker IV, and Sierra Baker, both of
Pleasantville; two brothers, Jimmy Smith of Englewood, FL, and Terry Britton and wife Trish of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Britton.
The family will receive friends at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc., 303 N. Washington St., Titusville, on Thursday, April 23rd, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Interment with full military honors will be conducted at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Rd, Bridgeville, PA 15017, on Monday, April 27th at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bruce Shorts Post 5958, VFW, 206 St. John St.,
Titusville, PA 16354.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard E Britton, please visit our floral store.
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