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Patrick Ash Obituary
A visitation will be at 6 p.m. today at Kehl's Legacy Funeral Home, 11621 Old Seward Highway. A service will be at 1 p.m., with visiation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Pat was born Sept. 21, 1953, in Orange, N.J., the only child of Harry and Alice Ash. The family moved to South Jersey, where he attended St. Joseph's High School, graduating in 1971.
After high school, Pat received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., graduating in 1975. Pat began his career with pilot training, becoming qualified as a Strategic Air Command B-52 pilot. After pilot training, he was assigned to Robins AFB, Ga., where he met and married Cynthia Leas, an Air Force nurse.
Cynthia shared Pat's journey for the rest of his time in this world. Together they were stationed in the Philippines, Andrews AFB, Md., Tinker AFB, Okla., and Elmendorf AFB; he retired at Andrews AFB, Md., in 1995. During his flying career he flew the B-52, T-38, T-39, C-12, AWACS and C-20. During his final assignment with the 89th Airlift Wing, he traveled extensively throughout the world transporting senior government officials and doing advance preparation for presidential travel on Air Force One.
After military retirement in 1995, Pat began a career at FedEx, which allowed him to return to his favorite place, Alaska, in 1996. He flew around the world as an MD-11 captain and was on the staff of instructors at the Anchorage flight simulator. Pat was a FedEx flight safety committee member and an aircraft accident investigator.
Pat was a devoted member of the Catholic church and his community throughout his life and at all his homes. He enjoyed his time at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Anchorage and glowed when sharing his gifted voice as a member of the choir.
Pat and Cindy were also avid sports enthusiasts and supporters of the Baltimore Orioles, Alaska Aces and Alaska Pilots, among other teams and sports. He took up hockey at age 35 and enjoyed playing in the "old men's" leagues, transitioning to refereeing. Pat and Cindy curled together, attended sports events throughout the U.S. and enjoyed scuba diving during many trips to Hawaii.
Pat was a caring man with a very generous spirit. He is remembered for his warmth and unique wry humor. Pat's ever-positive outlook was an inspiration to his many friends and extended family throughout his life, especially during his 3 1/2-year battle with cancer.
Pat is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cynthia Leas; his mother, Alice Ash of Lakewood, N.J.; his son, Senior Master Sgt. John (Kay) Mister, and grandsons, Jay and Ben Mister, of Syracuse, Utah; and numerous friends and extended family around the world.
His father, Harry Ash, preceded him in death.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Ash
John Cosgrove
February 13, 2025
Cindy,
As you know Pat's mom was my first cousin. I watched him grow up to be a fine young man of whom she, his dad and all of us were so proud. Can't believe it's been so long since his passing but his memory lives on for all those fortunate to have known him. He would be so grateful for your loving care of his mom in the last years of her life.
Peace
Linda Roberts
February 13, 2025
Every year when we sing "O Holy Night" I think of Pat. He was a blessing to our music group at SEAS in Anchorage.
Fred Walatka
March 1, 2011
Hi Cindy, Absent from the body means present with the Lord. With prayers and sympathy, Your friend, Fred Walatka
Craig Brubaker
February 27, 2011
I am the captain piloting the MD-11 on FedEx Flight 22 tomorrow from ANC-IND carrying Pat on his way to his resting place in Colorado Springs. It is my honor to assist Pat in his final journey. I am very sorry for your loss Cindy. You and your family have my sincerest condolences.
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John Mahaffey
February 22, 2011
So sorry for the loss of Pat. I flew with him as a new AWACS Weapons Director. He was always extraordinarily professional and approachable. His death is truly a loss to us all. We will keep Pat and his family in our prayers.
Connie Hardwick
February 21, 2011
Cindy,
I have many memories of Pat on the ice as an official. He helped many of the young officials become better officials. He worked with both my son and husband over the years. Our thoughts are with you during this time.
Connie & Gary Hardwick
Thomas Klaine
February 21, 2011
Cindy, Beth and I are are very sorry for your loss. Pat was a great friend and in just the short time I knew him, I came to love and admire him. You are in our prayers and thoughts! Beth and Tom Klaine
Donna Leas
February 20, 2011
Cindy, Tim and I are so very sorry for the loss of our brother-in-law. He was always the one to go to if we needed a baseball cap made from the discarded carton of Pepsi at family get-togethers. And he was a wonderful tour guide in Washington. We had such a good time that day. He knew all the buildings up and down the Mall, and people started following us around at the Capital, thinking he really WAS a tour guide. We have had many laughs about it, and will continue to smile when we think about him. We love you.
Lynn & Linda Roberts
February 20, 2011
We greatly appreciated having Pat as our friend at SEAS and singing with him for so many years Sunday evenings. We always looked forward to hearing him sing "O Holy Night" every Christmas Eve. We will miss him.
Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
Rossiter Worthington Raymond
Ed Eiswerth
February 20, 2011
Dear Cindy, Precy and I are very sorry for your lose. Eddie, our son who Pat was the "God Father " for, returns from Iraq in a few days. You and Pat were always kind to us and Pat stood in when we needed someone when Eddie was baptisted in Oklahoma. Take care and God Bless. You are in our prayers. Ed & Precy Eiswerth
Sr. Loretta
February 20, 2011
Dear Cynthia,
I was sorry to hear of Patrick's death. When I was at St. Elizabeth I enjoyed talking to him before the 5:30 Mass and enjoyed his humor.
He can now sing even more.
Please know that I will be praying for you.
God Bless.
Sister Loretta Luecke, C.PP.S.
Mike Bender
February 20, 2011
Many of us have often wondered what a "Valiant Battle against Cancer" is. Well, now all of us who knew Pat have a personal example of just what that is and how it is defined. That valiant battle is carried out with humor, complete lack of rancor, determination and faith. It was my pleasure to work with Pat doing ALPA safety work, and could always count on Pat for on-target analysis of all the issues involved whether in an aircraft accident investigation or just overall safety improvements in our mutual FedEx flying. We have lost a good one who is now in God's loving hands.
Craig Bledsoe
February 20, 2011
Ruth Ann and I want to express how much better the world of aviation safety is for Pat's leadership in many different arenas. Whether working with Pat at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Safety Forum or as a fellow member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), we could always count on the very best from Pat over his many years of service to this exacting discipline. We're all going to miss him - both for what he did for the world and for those moments when his own personality came shining through.
February 19, 2011
Dear Cindy, Mike and Mary are on their way to give you a hug from Baltimore. and Boston. Hang in there. We love you.
Mary Beth, Mike, john and Julia Tierney
Fred Peters
February 19, 2011
Pat was a very positive individual and a great pilot/instructor. It was always a pleasure to see him come to the training building to teach with his Hawaiian shirt on in middle of the winter and a big smile on his face. His infectious personality and attention to detail has enriched many individuals and especially mine. He will be missed.
I have always been of the belief, that although our loved ones have returned home, by whispering their name in your heart - they will be there. Blue skies and tail winds my friend as you make the final flight west.
February 19, 2011
Dear Alice, Cindy and family:
The fond memories of Pat begin with my recalling the happy 5 year old who ran on his toes around the Community House, through our following the accounts of his accomplishments over the years, to getting reacquainted with the exceptionally fine man he had become.
As we struggle to make sense of his premature passing, we can only begin to understand your sense of loss. Pat was a special gift to you and to all of us who were privileged to know him. He will be missed but not forgotten.
May he rest in peace.
John and Eleanor Cosgrove
Ray Marden
February 19, 2011
Ray & Jo Marden, former USAF Academy Classmate, truly our commitment to be the "Best Alive" was achieved in Pat's Life, his life now is still being fulfilled as he slips the surley bonds of earth & dances the clouds on life's silver wings
February 19, 2011
Cynthia - Very sorry to hear of Pat's passing. My/our sincere condolences to you and the family. I ran into you and Pat all too infrequently over the years but it was joy on each occasion. Pat was a great Academy Classmate and all in '75 will miss him as well as his family and community.
Sincerely, Hugo Gray CS-15
Bourke Family
February 19, 2011
Dear Ash Family:
So sorry to read of your loss. Please allow God's word the Bible to provide you comfort during this difficult time in your life.
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