Richard M. Antone

Born on December 2, 1942, he was the son of the late John W. and Rhea (Surprenant) Antone of Acushnet.

Richard attended New Bedford Vocational High School and held several jobs at Reliable Homes and the Acushnet Company. On April 1, 1969, he became Acushnet’s first full-time firefighter. He served in that role until 1980.

In 1970, he along with his wife Lucille opened Lucille’s Swim Queen Pools in the basement of their ranch home on Diane Street in Acushnet. In 1980, the part-time business grew to a full-time occupation requiring a full-service store on South Main Street in Acushnet. At Christmas time, they sold holiday wreaths and trees. Swim Queen Pools served the community for 49 years.

In the 1970’s he served as President of the Suburban Youth Hockey League. In addition to that, he was a member of the Acushnet Fire Association where he was in charge of organizing the department softball teams of the 1970s. He also spent some time as the Vice Chairman of the Acushnet Finance Committee.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Diane Antone of Acushnet; his grandsons, Matthew R. Antone and his wife Jessica of Freetown and Nicholas J. Antone and fiancé Brianna Grace of Middleboro; a granddaughter, Molly Lu Antone of Acushnet; great granddaughter, Addison “Addi” D. Antone; his faithful dog, Lucy; caretakers, sister and brother-in-law, Rolande and Frank Da Rocha of New Bedford.

He was predeceased by his parents and siblings’ brothers, John W. “Buddy” Antone, Robert A. “Bob” Antone, and sisters, Claire Macek and Pauline Conrad. Also, predeceased by very close nephew, Robert “Al” Antone.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 14, 2022 at 10 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier Parish, Main St., Acushnet follow by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Acushnet Firefighters Association, 24 Russell St., Acushnet, MA 02713. For online tribute: www.rock-funeralhome.com.