Bert Ayers

Bert Ayers, 62, of Newton Twp., died Thursday at Regional Hospital, Scranton. His widow is Nancy Wesolowski Ayers, his wife of almost 43 years.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Carl and Sarah Henry Ayers. He was a 1977 graduate of Abington Heights High School. He started in business at 17 years old when a local business person loaned him about $2,000 to go into the fire and safety equipment business. That business grew and he was eventually bought out by Kingston businessman Charley Dancheck. He worked with Charley for about five years but was approached one day by a salesman from a local radio station WBQW, also known as 13-Q.

He became friends with the station manager who recognized his interest in advertising and marketing. When the station manager (Bob Wood) left to start his own advertising agency, Bert went with him to be an office person to write and help produce radio and television advertising. Having no college education or advertising training, Bob taught him everything he needed to know in a very short and very intense period. Five years later, he left Bob's agency to start his own and cut his own path in advertising. He did that for 20 years.

In the middle of that, in 1997, he lost both of his parents in the same year and inherited the responsibility of Red Barn Village. One of his proudest accomplishments was turning his parents' home into a bed-and-breakfast despite much community doubt that you could put a lodging facility outside of Clarks Summit. It was an instant success because the internet was really just grabbing hold in 1999. Upon posting a website, the calls came shortly. He loved meeting new people and serving them at the bed-and-breakfast and learning about their lives.

Later on, after many people attempted to operate the grocery store in Red Barn Village, he made the decision to take on the venture. As a smart local businessman said, "I don't think you know what you're doing but I know you have to do it." It proved to be the most difficult period of his life. The challenges were many and ongoing, but Bert loved being an entrepreneur and a businessman.

He loved his community. Throughout his whole life he served the community through volunteer fire company EMS and fire activities. He was always willing to help someone in the community at a moment's notice. Bert also loved antiques, something that he found by accident with the invention of eBay.

He loved his wife, caring for her for many years with various illnesses until his own health declined suddenly with a stroke in 2019. Then the tables turned. He would need her care and support which she did without fail each time through each illness while struggling with her own health issues.

Bert is survived by three sons, whose accomplishments and independence made him so very proud: Kevin and wife, Melissa of Mount Laurel, N.J., Curtis and wife, Amanda of Portland, Ore., and Keith of Redmond, Wash.

Also surviving are granddaughters, Lydia and Harriet; brother, Wayne and wife, Susan of Newton Twp.; and numerous other family and friends.

A funeral will be held at Countryside Community Church, 14011 Orchard Drive, Newton Twp., on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., with services by the Rev. James Hollister. The family will receive friends and relatives at the church Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Clarks Summit Fire Department, 321 Bedford St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or Newton-Ransom Volunteer Fire Company, 1890 Newton-Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.