Mr. Richard Sonny Newton

Richard R. Newton (AKA) Sonny was born to Naomi Newton in New York on December 1, 1963. After his birth he was placed in foster care with the Catholic Home Bureau until the age of 1 where he was placed with our maternal great grandparent's Julia and Harry Knighten. While coming into the life of our great grandparent he was greeted with love and a stable environment, but also coming into the home of being the youngest of 5 other foster children. Richard was placed with Barbara and John Driffin, who already had 5 children of their own, but refused to see Ricky return back into the foster care system. As a child Richard attended New Lane Elementary and moved on the Selden Ix. High School in 1977 in Selden New York. In 1982 Richard graduated from Newfield H.S, in Centereach, New York. During his years in high school, he found his passion in wrestling. After high school he tried another passion which was boxing. Richard was brought up with love because he was part of our family, there was no distinguishing between foster and biological we were family. Our parents gave him the tools to be a man strong black man. During Richard's life he endured many obstacles and accomplishments, but he never gave up. In July 2010, Richard R. (Sonny) Newton was appointed by the Board of Deacons, as a Deacon for the Divine Unity Christian Church. In 2016 he graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Richard was also employed with Professional Family Care where he was a receptionist for many years, and at times a preacher to the co-workers to those at his job. But all done out of love. Richard was an active member of his church and Deacon and an active member for the Jesus World Outreach Center Church. Richard eventually gave himself to God. God was his world. He would preach to anyone and everybody who would listen. Richard lived his last years loving and giving himself to the Lord. Richard was one of God's shepherds to anyone who needed him in their time of need. Richard is preceded in death by his first foster parents Julia and Harry Knighten; Barbara and John Driffin, and his brother Bryan Driffin, Brenda Ramos, James Rivera and Millie Horton. On December 27, 2023, Richard earned his wings and was called home to be with The Lord. Richard will be missed not only by his family but all those he came in contact with. Richard leaves behind his siblings; Roxanne Higgs, Myrna Driffin, Barbara Walker, John Driffin, Marta Mohammed, Meyshell Bernier and a host of nieces.

Mr. Richard Sonny Newton

December 1, 1963 - December 27, 2023