Gilford-----Alan D. Ashley, 78, of 8 Dockham Shore Drive, died at his home on Thursday, June 9, 2011.
Mr. Ashley was born May 14, 1933 in Gloversville, New York, the son of Edwin and Opal (Shank) Ashley. He served in the US Marine Corps. and had been employed as a chief test pilot for Kaman Aerospace. During his time with Kaman, Alan was involved with almost every flight test and development program, such as for the NAVY HUK-1 and the HU2K-1, the Air Force H43, the SH-2G and the K-MAX. He was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the American Legion. He was an avid woodworker and an antique car tinkerer.
He was predeceased by one brother, Jerome Ashley, and one sister, Mary Parnitzke.
Survivors include his wife, Carol (Fulkerson) Ashley, of Gilford; two sons, Drew Ashley and his wife, Jerry, of West Suffield, CT and Dean Ashley of West Suffield, CT, one daughter, Allison Bergstrom, and her husband, David, of Anaheim, CA and two grandchildren, Dylan Bergstrom and Ashley Bergstrom, both of Anaheim, CA.
There will be no calling hours.
Funeral services will be privately held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, N.H.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com .