Richard R. Morton, 61, passed away in his adopted home of Ocean Grove, NJ, on September 14. Richard was born in The Bronx, NY on April 5, 1955 where he lived for most of his early life, attending Taft High School and hanging out with his friends from Pelham Parkway. Summers and holidays were spent in Matawan, NJ, with his cousins where he first developed a love of the Jersey Shore. As a young man Richard was always interested in music, concerts, musical theatre, photography and of course fashion, and these interests stayed with him throughout his life.
Richard had a long distinguished career in men’s retail beginning in Manhattan at Barneys and The Everybody Shop. He worked for many years at Frank Stella Clothiers where he honed his amazing skills at fitting a men’s suit and sold merchandise to many a celebrity. He relocated to Virginia Beach in 1989 where he focused on visual merchandising and worked with the Commonwealth Musical Stage (now Virginia Musical Theatre) in wardrobe and set design. During this time Richard was able to fulfill a lifelong dream when he opened his own shop, Threads & Co., which specialized in distinctive vintage clothing and custom made reproductions.
Richard returned to his beloved New York and lived in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, once again working in men’s retail at Rothman’s and Paul Stuart. He lived there for many years before settling in Ocean Grove, a town and community he came to love. He continued to work in men’s retail and his customers and co-workers from the Clothing Center will remember his sense of style, his amazing collection of hats and ties, his hardworking nature and his ability to connect with his customers.
Richard was above all else a kind, caring and loyal man. He cared for his ailing mom, Jean for many years before she passed away 4 years ago. There was nothing Richard valued more than maintaining his long and beautiful friendships with friends and family members both near and far. He regularly sent photos, small gifts, cards, and letters to his friends. It was important to him for them to know how special they were to him.
A few years ago Richard discovered Facebook which opened up a whole new world to him. He was a master at sharing photographs and memories of his youth, living in New York. He really enjoyed the responses he received and the new friendships he made while sharing them. He reconnected with many people from his past in various groups including “From the Bronx and Moved Elsewhere.” Many others know him locally from the Ocean Grove Facebook group “A Little bit of Heaven”.
Richard had recently discussed the possibility of writing a book and telling his story. Luckily many of us had the opportunity to enjoy his storytelling from his beautifully written Facebook posts. He was a generous and humble man who will be greatly missed by his family, especially his Aunt Fran Mackin and his uncles and cousins in both the Mackin and VanderSteen families.
Our families have been comforted by the outpouring of sympathy and love from all those he knew. The stories of how he “picked out the perfect vintage wedding dress” or how he helped put together missing pieces in family genealogy searches by posting his pictures, are amazing to us. We invite all of Richard’s friend and neighbors to participate with us in a celebration of his life. Please come and share your favorite story of Richard with us at a Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, October 22 at 2 pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 503 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ. All are welcome.

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