Robert G. Ashton, 81
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Robert George Ashton, 81, of 80 Langlois Ave., The Spruces, and 214 Third St., West Nokomis, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Bon Secoeurs Hospital in Venice, Fla., where he had been admitted 10 days before.Born in North Adams on June 26, 1920, son of Raymond J. and Bertha I. Anthony Ashton, he attended Adams schools and graduated from the former Adams Memorial High School in 1938.
An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland as part of his cadet training. He graduated as a fighter pilot and second lieutenant in 1944.
Mr. Ashton was employed by the former New England Telephone Co. for 37 years. He retired in 1982 as central office foreman in charge of the Adams, North Adams, Williamstown and Pownal, Vt., offices. He first worked at the former GE in Pittsfield before entering the service.
He was a member of First Baptist Church and Frank R. Stiles American Legion Post 125, both in North Adams. He also was a member of the Berkshire Lodge of Masons, AF&AM, Adams, and past president and life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was past president of the former International Brotherhood of Telephone Workers and the Sunday Night Twins bowling league.
His first wife, the former Genevieve Winslow, died Dec. 1, 1988.
He leaves his wife, the former Mary Agnes Desrosiers Aubery, whom he married Nov. 23, 1991; a son, Robert C. Ashton Jr. of Brookline, N.H.; a daughter, Deborah Buzzell of Hudson, N.H.; a brother, John Ashton of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and Zephyrhills, Fla., and four grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 from AUGE-SAN SOUCIE-SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME, North Adams, by Joseph H. DeCosta, pastor of First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 5 to 8. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory be made to First Baptist Church or the American Heart Association through the funeral home, 46 North Church St., North Adams, MA 01247.