1922
2011
James Frederick Ashton, 88, of Niantic, died May 3rd, 2011 with his wife and two children by his side.
He was born August 14th, 1922, in St. Helens, England, the beloved son of the late Laura and John Ashton.
Fred, as he was commonly known, came to this country in 1947 at the age of 25, accompanied by his wife Alice. They initially lived in New Jersey but soon moved to Connecticut with their two children, Clifford and Pamela. They settled in the Giants Neck Heights section of Niantic in 1956.
He held an Associates Degree from Newark College of Engineering. Fred was a Machine Designer for Electric Boat for 32 years until retiring in 1988.
Fred was an accomplished pianist and organist. He will be fondly remembered playing the piano on many family occasions. He also loved photography, music (jazz), reading, chess, gardening with his wife and learning computers. Many weekends and free time were spent working on their home and crewing for his son in sail boat races at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church.
Fred had an indomitable sense of humor, inquisitive about anything and everything and, most importantly – an endless love and devotion to and for his family. In general, he had an overall lust for life and learning.
In addition to his loving wife of 65 years, he is survived by his two children, Pamela L. Ashton of Colchester and her partner Michael, Clifford and wife Teri of East Lyme, Connecticut.; and their children, Haley and Jeffrey. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Jean.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic, Connecticut. Burial will follow in East Lyme Cemetery. A calling hour will be held for one hour prior to the service from 1-2pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc., Meals on Wheels Program, 81 Stockhouse Road, Bozrah Connecticut 06334. To sign the on line guest book visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
May 9, 2011
Mike Conte
He will be missed, but he lives in your hearts and souls forever.
May 6, 2011
Kris Cooksley Magnussen
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
May 6, 2011
Sorry for you loss Gwen (Hughes) Zarkos
May 6, 2011
Nicol McClendon
Pam,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am here for you if you need anything.
May 6, 2011
Jay Riotte
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jay and Cheri Riotte.
May 5, 2011
Cliff, Pam and Mrs Ashton, please accept my sincerest condolences. He was a great man and looked his best driving the green MGBGT!
Todd and Pat Whitaker
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