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Chuck Ashton Obituary
Aug. 13, 1948 - Jan. 23, 2019
Redwood City
Chuck Ashton passed away on January 23, 2019 in San Jose after a long illness. Mr. Ashton graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School and San Jose State. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts Degree in Library Science. Mr. Ashton worked in the Youth and Services Division at the Redwood City Public Library for 34 years. As the Head Children's Librarian, Mr. Ashton was well known for his puppet shows, storytelling, and guitar playing. Through his creative storytelling and music, Mr. Ashton inspired countless children to read and love books and was a strong advocate for literacy. Mr. Ashton received the Librarian of the Year Award in 2003-2004 from the California State Library. He earned various nicknames such as "The Pied Piper of Redwood City" and "The Library Guy." Mr. Ashton was an avid sports fan of the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. Mr. Ashton was the son of the late Charles James Ashton and Irene Ashton. He is survived by his brother, Neal Ashton, his sister-in-law Nancy Ashton as well as his ex-wife, Mary McGrath and her two children, Casey (McGrath) Robinson and Max McGrath. Chuck was loved by all in the community.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Ashton will be occurring at the Redwood City Downtown Public Library on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 2:00PM-4:00PM. All are welcome to attend. The location is at 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 in the Community Room on the second floor.
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Memories and Condolences
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Janekka Martin
August 1, 2025
Mr. Chuck,
I´ve been thinking about you and missing you dearly. I´m a mother now, and as I watch my little ones grow, I can only hope they´ll have someone who brings music, a love for books, and the magic of storytelling into their childhood the way you did for mine. I still remember how excited I´d get when it was time to sing "Yuck" with you-it´s a memory I´ll always treasure. You will always be missed.
Rachel
October 31, 2024
Think about you often chuck. You were the source of some of my best childhood memories. Miss you more Now that I have a child of my own and get to sing " Don´t stick your finger up your nose" to her now.
Nora
September 27, 2024
Awww I ran across his name on Facebook, I often think of all of the wonderful story times and sing a longs at the library. I would have loved to take my daughter to one of them.
Faith Bell
November 7, 2020
Chuck was able to lift my spirits just by walking into the room. His sweet smile and kindness made all of us better, more hopeful people. He is sorely missed .
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linda barnard
February 16, 2020
its been a little more than a year since Chuck left us. i think of him daily. he was one of my most wonderful friends and a memorable playmate from childhood. he was sure cute and funny.
linda barnard
June 6, 2019
still thinking about you a lot. just miss talking to you.
February 26, 2019
Please accept my deep expressions of sympathy. May the loving memories you've shared continue to warm your heart. Psalms 116:15
February 22, 2019
My condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. May you find a measure of comfort found at John 6:40 which says that soon we will all see our loved ones again
Pamela Frost-Dennis
February 21, 2019
I was fortunate to reconnect with Chuck a couple years ago during his 50th High School reunion. My husband was in his class, and I saw a comment from Chuck on the Facebook Reunion page. I responded and we began to correspond on almost a daily basis.
I knew Chuck way back in the early 70s through the band he was in Venus Flytrap. I was a singer at the time. He became a good friend and confident, and I cherished our friendship. He helped me get through a rough time, and I will always be thankful for his support.
The last time I saw Chuck was at the tenth reunionthen 40 years drifted by. Through the years I thought of him often and hoped he was having a happy life. It's no surprise that he worked with kids and gave them so much joy. He was a dear soul.
Linda Barnard
February 21, 2019
I knew Chuck since first grade at Taft School in Redwood City. We lost touch for a long time but now it's been 9 years of daily phone calls. I will always miss that dear sweet man and always will remember me chasing him in first grade with him turning, laughing.
Nancy Goold
February 20, 2019
Chuck was loved by all the children who saw him at the Redwood City Public Library, especially when he would sing the song YUCK!
You are truly missed.
NEAL ASHTON
February 20, 2019
Chuck was a wonderful and loving brother. We shared so many great times together and he always looked out for me when I needed it. Chuck was passionate about family, work, music, reading, and of course his favorite sports teams (SF Giants, 49ers, Warriors). Becoming the Children's Librarian in Redwood City gave him a purpose and joy to his life in which he excelled. Chuck's mastery of puppetry, storytelling, and guitar playing inspired many children to read books. Chuck's advocacy for literacy made in a legend not only in Redwood City but throughout the State of California. I will miss Chuck terribly but he is always in my heart and soul. I know that Chuck is no longer suffering and is heaven alongside our parents. I am lucky and proud to call Chuck my brother.
Love,
Neal
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