Francis Ashland Jr.

1932 - 2025

Francis Ashland, Jr.
Francis (Frank) X. Ashland Jr. of South Windsor, CT, passed away on January 07, 2025, at the age of 92. Born in Springfield, MA on November 26, 1932, he was the son of Francis X. Sr. and Catherine (McWhirter) Ashland. Frank grew up on a farm in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, CT. Having lived through the Great Depression and WWII, Frank learned the value of hard work and frugality. Even as a boy, he worked odd jobs to put food on the family table. Frank became an excellent mechanic working at a local garage. This became a hobby and passion that would last his whole life. During the Korean War, he served at Westover Air Force base in Chicopee, MA. After the war, he got a degree in engineering from the University of Illinois. Later, while studying at the University of Hartford he would meet his wife, Theresa. Frank went on to work as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. They started a family and eventually settled in a new home in South Windsor.
Frank is survived by his wife of 64 years, Theresa, his son Francis Xavier III and daughter-in-law Kathy of LaFargeville, NY and son Keith and his wife Katerina of Coventry, CT. Frank had three granddaughters, April, Danielle and Paisley as well as four great-grandchildren Diana, Aiden, Zander and Brandon. He is also survived by his sister Agnes Zelus and brother-in-law Bruce of Redondo Beach California, their children Bruce, Brian and Elizabeth (Liz) as well as his niece Cheryl Conrad.
Frank was predeceased by his two brothers, William (Billy) Ashland, Jeremiah (Jerry) Ashland, and his niece Pamela (Pam) Baker.
The family wants to express its gratitude to Frank's aide Diane Lessard. She brought him a lot of joy during the final months of his life.
A Catholic mass will be held in his honor at the Saint Francis of Assisi church in South Windsor on February 1st at 10:00 a.m.. A funeral will be held at the Veteran's Cemetery in Middletown, CT in the spring. The family will reach out with the date and time for the funeral as soon as the arrangements are finalized.