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Philip Nolan Obituary
Ashfield, MA - Philip Nolan III, "The Mayor of Ashfield," passed away on February 10th, 2026, in the loving home he shared with his wife Melissa and dog Sophie.
Phil was born October 27th, 1958 to Philip Jr. and Ardis and was a lifelong resident of Ashfield, MA, attending Sanderson Academy, MTRHS, and later graduating from GCC. He worked as a land surveyor, but found his calling in 1988 as an attendant of the Ashfield Town Dump where he was always eager to greet everyone in town with a smile and a handshake. Phil was a true townie and fixture of Ashfield, often being seen around town with a Diet Coke in hand. He expressed his unique humor and creativity as a cartoonist with his works occasionally being printed in the Ashfield News as well as self-publishing a comic book on recycling which he distributed to local refuse centers. Phil was also an avid musician and loved to perform at open mic nights in the area, often with his band the Dumpsters.
He is survived by his wife Melissa, his son Philip IV, his mother Ardis, his stepmother Doreen, his aunts Mary, Katy, Judy, Carolyn, and LucyAnn, his siblings Ed, Jackie, and Anne; nieces and nephews Max, Lucy, Charlotte, Theodore, Meghan, Molly, Evan, Chris, and Emily; as well as a new generation of his beloved family in Nolan and Olivia.
A memorial service will be held on February 21st at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls at 1PM, with a burial at the Plain Cemetery in Ashfield to take place in the spring.
You can honor Phil by sending flowers to Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home or by donating in Phil's memory to Hilltown Churches Food Pantry, PO Box 161, Ashfield, MA 01330
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Nolan
Jamie Young
February 22, 2026
Phil brought the community together, talking to everyone and introducing us to neighbors we didn't know. He left every conversation saying "Always a pleasure" and that made people feel appreciated. We will all miss him.
Jane Kaufman
February 21, 2026
Know that my heart aches with you and for you. For you who may not haul your own trash, it may be hard to imagine how pivotal a role the dump attendant plays. He or she can literally make or break your day in a moment. Phil Nolan didn´t just regulate the recycling and the trash, he did it with kindness, patience, sensitivity and charity. He answered every silly question I had, some having nothing to do with recycling, and, when I made a mistake, throwing cardboard into the plastic recycling, he got his fishhook out and retrieved the box as I watched. He wasn´t happy, but his only words were, "Don´t do it again." Amazingly or not, the following week, I made the same mistake. He was again kind. Phil was known as the mayor of Ashfield for good reason. Unpretentious, with great eye contact, he left you feeling good about yourself. He not only dispensed dog biscuits but personal introductions to people arriving at the same time. Last year when my boyfriend, Robert Holden, was ill, I began hauling trash, something we did together initially and Robert had taken on mostly solo in recent years. Phil noticed. "How´s Robert?" He asked when I started coming alone. When I told him he was sick, he took it hard. And when Robert died, he took it harder. Phil cared. After Robert died, I didn´t have a valid annual landfill sticker, required by the town. They cost $75. When I asked to buy one, he told me he was "all out" for the year. He said he didn´t have any of the punch cards left either. Since he wasn´t allowed to take cash, I threw away pounds and pounds of trash for close to four months - for free. This was clearly an act of charity.
Betty Lesure
February 21, 2026
We will miss you, Phil.
Betty Lesure and Warren Kirkpatrick
Lydia Bennett
February 20, 2026
My parents just notified me that Phil passed away. I grew up in Ashfield and have fond memories of visiting Phil every week when we went to drop off our recycling and trash and check out the little free donated book Library they had on site. Phil was always so kind and friendly and even let us press the compactor button when we were young. When my brother and I became old enough to drive to the dump on our own, my brother would sometimes pick up Phil's favorite soda and I'd be look out, so he could put the soda in Phil's office when he wasn't looking so it would be a surprise. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He has always been a fixture of Ashfield in my mind. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
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Roy Rudolph
February 18, 2026
My wife and I were sad to learn of Phil's passing. He has been in our lives for the 20 years we have been residents of Ashfield. I will certainly miss our brief but pleasant exchanges at the Transfer Station -- especially his signature send-off "Say hello to your lovely wife." He was a gem. Roy (and Janice)
Arianna Alexsandra Collins
February 18, 2026
Good Journey, Phil. You are already missed! I loved being referred to as my dad's "lovely daughter" - so sweet all us ladies were someone's lovely wife or daughter. And I loved that you always asked "How's the water?" cause 9 times out of 10 you knew I'd be swimming (or at least dipping during winter months) in Ashfield Lake. You knew your community so well and the so the transfer station was a welcomed errand.
fred halper
February 18, 2026
I knew Phil since he was a toddler. As he grew it was clear that he was to
be a kind and gentle person. I'll miss him, but glad that we knew each other.
Sincerely,
fred halper
Patrick T.Ott
February 16, 2026
My condolences to Ardis, Jackie, Ed, Ann and whole Nolan family... So sad to hear of Phil's passing. Have great memories of my youth in Ashfield... Scouting,sledding , and other things young kids look to do...Phil was part of the Ashfield memories...And I'm not surprised he grew to be a decent, respectable man. May you continue your journey "Phil"...and thanks for the memories....
James Sullivan
February 16, 2026
One of a kind. A gentle man.
David Wayne Rhinehart
February 16, 2026
I knew Phil for a long time , we sang and played music together so many times , always excited to play each other a new tune , probably one that we wrote ourselves.....My Heart is sad...He will be Greatly Missed....
Karin
February 16, 2026
I was truly sorry to hear of Phil´s passing. He was far too young but I guess that it speaks to us not being able to choose our time to leave this Earth. Phil always had a smile and his signature dry humor to share. He knew every dump patron by their name. My trip to the dump this past Saturday had a sense of emptiness. I will forever miss his presence. May he rest in peace and sleep in God´s eternal Light. My heartfelt prayers & condolences go out to his family.
Marilyn Johnson
February 16, 2026
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Georgette
February 14, 2026
I was gutted when I saw that Phil had passed. I know him only as a Hawleyite who used the transfer station, but you know Phil--he made friends with everyone. Especially people's dogs. Danu is among Phil's many canine fans who would start whining and fussing as soon as I turned right off of Clesson Brook Road. She knew that she'd soon be seeing Uncle Phil. I know my next trip to the dump will leave me in tears, when Danu whines and looks and looks for Phil with his cookies.
My heartfelt condolences to Phil's family and loved ones. Your grief must be immeasureable.
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