Ronald LeRoi Britton

Ronald LeRoi Britton, longtime owner of Britton’s House of Furniture in Venice, Florida, died on August 20, 2011. He was 84 years old. Mr. Britton was born on March 29, 1927 to Eleanor Chartrain Britton and Harry Haughton Britton. He served as a page in the United States Senate from 1940 to 1945 representing the State of New Hampshire. After graduating from the United States Senate Page School, he joined the Army. At the end of World War II, he attended the University of Maryland on the G. I. Bill, married his high school sweetheart, Jane Todd, and started a family. Mr. Britton moved to Venice, Florida in 1952 with his wife and infant daughter to join his father and mother in what was to become a succesful family business, Britton’s House of Furniture, currently known as Britton’s Carpet One Design Center. The Brittons raised four children in Venice. Mr. Britton was active in the Venice Community as a member of the Elks Club, the Venice Yacht Club and the American Legion. He served on the Sarasota County School Board from 1963 to 1975 and was elected Chairman of the Board for the final eight years. During that time he was instrumental in founding Pineview School, a nationally renowned school for academically gifted children. Mr. Britton attended St. Mark’s Episcopal church where he served as a deacon. He was a staunch supporter of the Republican party. Ronald Britton was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Jane Todd Britton and his brother Pete Britton. He is survived by his second wife of nine years, Mary Sweeney Britton, his four children; Sharron Jane Britton, Ronald Todd (Cheri) Britton, Candace Jean Britton and Jonathan Miles (Joni) Britton; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.