Richard "Tom" Warburton

Richard Thomas Warburton, lovingly known as Tom, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at the age of 91, in Woodbury, Minnesota, surrounded by loving family.

Born in the United Kingdom in 1933, Tom lived a life grounded in purpose and hard work. He trained as a mechanical engineer, a skill that stayed with him throughout his life and shaped the way he approached the world—with curiosity, and resolve. In 1957, he, his beloved wife, Shirley, and infant son Barry, immigrated to New York State in search of new opportunities. Always an independent thinker, and risk taker, Tom leveraged his successful engineering career to start a thriving dairy farm. Along the way, he and Shirley raised four children, built a home, and loved each other unconditionally for 64 years.

Tom had a deep respect for the land and the sea. He worked long days on the farm, fixing machinery and tending his herd. When time allowed, he found joy on the open water. One of his proudest accomplishments was crossing the Atlantic in a sailboat - his beloved Mirabar - a journey that spoke to his determination and spirit of adventure. .

Tom leaves a lasting legacy, and profoundly shaped the lives of those around him. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the values of persistence, honesty, and hard work. Today, his descendants carry forward his deep love for both the land and the sea.

Tom will be missed by all who knew him. He was adventurous, curious and confident. He leaves behind a family who adored him, a life well-lived, and memories that will be cherished always.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his son Ray and his brothers Jim and John. He is survived by his daughter Sylvia Mills, sons Barry and Michael Warburton, sisters Sylvia Ison (Rodney) and Florence Confessore and numerous grand and great-grand children.

In honoring Tom’s life, his family asks that you take a moment to appreciate the simple things—an early morning sunrise, the rhythm of meaningful work, or the calm of open water. He found beauty in all of these, and in the lives of those he loved.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services