John Joseph Ashe died Sept. 20, 2018. He was born Nov. 11, 1933, in Boston, Massachusetts, grew up in South Boston and came to Neptune Beach in 1970. It has been said he was the best “Southie” in Florida.
John proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to school for drafting and civilian pipefitting. He transferred to the Mayport Naval Station working for SUPSHIPs in 1970, particularly the Forrestal. He was responsible for surveying damages to naval ships, overseeing the repairs and putting them back to work. After 41 years of service, he retired and developed a lifelong love of animals and nature. He traveled and, together with his family, enjoyed two summer homes where he would visit and host family get-togethers. It is doubtful anyone in his Neptune Beach neighborhood will ever forget the site of a tall grey-haired man, with a big green bird on his shoulder and two Chows by his side, taking all of them for a walk. He enjoyed the Elks Club, and he would go there often to dance and dine and sing “I Did it My Way” in his best Sinatra voice.
John predeceased his loving wife, friend and companion (Leone B. Ashe) by a short time and is survived by his sons John Joseph Ashe Jr. and Michael John Ashe; daughter, Debra Ashe; stepdaughter, Julie Brigman (Ricky Brigman); grandchildren Megan Ashe, Tim Hanapel, Dean Hanapel (Kimberly Hanapel) and Lynn Dell (Troy Dell); and great-grandkids James, Eli, Liam, Elizabeth, Ryan and Ava.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in the Chapel of Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home at 3600 Third St. S., Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society in John’s name.
Please visit the online tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.
