Richard A. Milton

Richard A. Milton, of Clinton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at his sister’s home in Lancaster. He was 71.

Rick was the beloved son of the late Richard and Louise (Hayes) Milton. Born in Waltham on May 24, 1954, he was raised there and graduated with the class of 1972 at Waltham High School.

Growing up, he excelled in swimming, competing with the Waltham Boys Club swim team as a champion swimmer. His many awards and accolades earned him scholarships that allowed him to continue swimming at Fulton Montgomery Community College and then Southern Connecticut University. Rick also had a passion for music and was a talented vocalist. In high school he was selected as one of only two basses from Massachusetts to perform in the all-state choir.

Rick worked for many years as a commercial painter, restoring the beautiful luster on historic homes in Weston, Brookline, and Lincoln, as well as the Bolton Town Hall. He later worked for many years at Broomfield Labs in Bolton, where he painted their large electronic equipment which was shipped all over the world.

Rick was a kind, thoughtful, and loving man with a generous heart. Always quick with a bright smile and a clever joke, his sharp wit and intelligence shone through in his wonderful sense of humor. Outgoing and deeply appreciative, he made friends easily and showed genuine gratitude to those around him. His siblings, nieces, and nephews meant the world to him, and, of course, he remained a lifelong, devoted fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.

He loved the great outdoors. If he wasn’t out in the woods deer hunting, you could find him casting a line for trout, bass, or his beloved Stripers. Just two years ago he accomplished a lifelong dream of snagging an 8ft Sailfish off the Florida Keys.

He was an accomplished chef and holiday parties won’t be the same without his famous stuffed mushrooms. Rick was a trivia savant; his photographic memory made him adept at his favorite game show Jeopardy! He even auditioned to be a contestant on the show.

During his teen years he joined the elite scouting group of “The Explorers”; a unique program designed to build character and leadership skills in the community through service projects. He participated in high adventures in snow and heat, hiking miles and working as a team with just the basic essentials for survival.

The Explorers didn’t mess around. After an incident regarded as “highly offensive”, Rick was “tarred and feathered” with a down pillow and honey, before being placed on an island for a night during black fly season to ponder his behavior. Needless to say, lesson was learned!

Rick always cherished his longtime friendships, having monthly breakfasts with his high school classmates, as well as twice-a-year meetups with his old swim team buddies from the Waltham Boys Club at Keith Melionis’. Rick and his high school sweetheart Linda “Rav” Ravalli remained friends and kept in close contact all his life.

In his later life, Rick made many lasting relationships in his adopted hometown of Clinton, including his former partner, and the best Italian cook you could ever want, the late Maria Sakellarion. Like any great love, Maria helped transform Rick into an even more compassionate person.

In the past few years, you could find Rick most weeknights at 7 p.m. tuning to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! with his loyal friends Linda and Patty.

Rick reconnected with countless friends via Facebook, a support group he cherished until the end.

As his health began to fail, “Thank you” was always on his lips, even through labored breath.

With the help of his sisters, Linda and Gail, who devoted themselves fully to being his caregivers through the last year of his life, brother David also helped during these last months. Rick graciously left this world a fighter.

He made his last cast with his longtime swim team friend and hunting buddy, Dave Cline, just a few days before his passing.

He is survived by his siblings, Linda S. Malo (the late Scott Bandzul), of West Boylston, Gail B. Amabile and her husband, Hank, of Lancaster, and David W. Milton, of Sun City, Arizona; cherished uncle of Micaela Malo (James Gath), of Quincy; and Joseph Malo, of West Boylston, Joshua Amabile and his wife, Rachel, of Lancaster, Jessamyn Rockwell and her husband, Mike, of Concord, New Hampshire, Elin Weeman and her husband, Matthew, of Georgetown, Maine, Drew Amabile, of San Diego, California, Hunter Amabile and his wife, Jackie, of Boulder, Colorado; great-uncle of Metias, Sawyer, Nolan, Wyatt, Navah, Bryce, Azalie, and Merritt.

Family and friends will honor Rick’s life by gathering for an evening wake in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St., Route 20, Waltham, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Hope International Church, 21 Bruce Rd., Waltham, followed by burial in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Rick’s genuine love for dogs was undeniable throughout his life. Tessa, Layla and Winter became his Soulmates.

Memorial donations in Rick’s name may be made to K9s For Warriors at: k9sforwarriors.org.