...of Tewksbury,former Little League Umpire; 76
TEWKSBURY - Darrell A. Ashdown, age 76, a Tewksbury resident for over five decades, died peacefully in his home on Friday, March 25, while surrounded by his family after a courageous seven year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was the beloved husband of Alice M. (Cassely) with whom he celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary last September 12.
He was born March 20, 1935 in Boston, a son of the late Stanley and Clythie (Hazlett) Ashdown. He was raised in Wilmington and has been a Tewksbury resident for the past fifty years.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in Alaska at the close of the Korean War.
Prior to retirement, he was the owner and salesman of a Bachman Food Franchise, and worked throughout the Merrimack Valley. He was a well known patron at the Bradford Lantern Coffee Shop in Tewksbury, where he "held court" at the counter on an almost daily basis. In his earlier years, he volunteered as a Little League Umpire for over 20 years. He was a member of Tewksbury Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8164, and an avid and competitive golfer. He also loved spending time with his family and summering at his vacation home at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. As only "Papa" could, he was a strong and vocal supporter at his grandchildren's sporting events.
Besides his wife Alice, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law; Chip Ashdown and his wife Lisa (Houlihan) of Tyngsboro, two daughters and sons-in-law; Kathleen Riccardi and her husband Paul of Chelmsford, Linda Hill and her husband Christopher of Chelmsford, was the beloved "Papa" of six grandchildren; Lauren and Nicole Riccardi, Brittany and Tori Ashdown, Derek and Jennifer Hill; a brother, Stanley and his wife Elaine (Hersom) Ashdown of Wilmington; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, March 30, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Memorials may be made to the All Care Hospice, 16 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901 or the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway, Lowell, MA 01854.