WORCESTER____Joseph T. Ash, 90, of 9 Greystone Circle, died Saturday, December 6 in Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, 559 Plantation St.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth A. (Degnan) Ash; three sons, Joseph T. Ash, Jr., of Liverpool, NY, Thomas Patrick Ash of Cambridge, and James M. Ash of Millbury; four daughters, Mary E. Giammalvo of Westminster, Ann M. Zelesky of Worcester; Kathleen M. Campbell of Omaha, NE, and Ellen M. Berrings of Waterbury, VT.; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. He was born in Worcester, son of Thomas P. and Mary Jane (Fleming) Ash and lived here all of his life.
Mr. Ash was a firefighter many years for the City of Worcester and was assigned at various times to Ladder 3, Engine 8 and Engine 11 at the Greendale Fire Station where he retired in 1970. He also owned and operated Heritage Realty in Shrewsbury and Worcester for many years.
He was a World War II veteran of the US Coast Guard.
Mr. Ash was graduated from St. John's High School where he was a standout athlete in football and baseball, posting a .471 batting average in 1933, tops among Worcester schoolboys. He was inducted into the St. John's High School Hall of Fame in 1997. He also attended Worcester Academy.He was a 47-year member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church and had served on its Parish Council and Service Committee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, December 11 from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St., with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Wednesday, December 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's High School, 378 Main St., Shrewsbury, 01545 or to the Michael G. Ratte Charitable Foundation PO Box 599, West Side Station, Worcester, 01602.