Jay R. Ashton

Noank - Jay R. Ashton, 61, of Noank, husband of Lindsay (Scroggins) Ashton, died Sunday, May 16, 2021, at the Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London after a battle with cancer he fought head-on and never let slow him down.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Waterford, Jay was the son of Ann (Morrison) Ashton of Mystic and the late Richard C. Ashton. Jay was a graduate of the former Mohegan College, where he earned his associate's degree in General Studies.

Jay began his professional career as a shipfitter at Electric Boat in Groton, and his natural talents allowed him to move forward as a foreman at New York Yachts building fire boats, then on to building luxury yachts in Norwalk. He was a master of his trade. After graduating from Mohegan College, Jay obtained a volunteer position to transport clients from the Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) to their appointments. He then secured a permanent position as a mental health assistant and worked in various departments during his 16-year career with the State of CT/Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Jay was a natural with clients; they appreciated all his work and kindness which included his personal donations to bring clients blankets, pillows, furniture, and boxes of food and clothing. His position before he retired due to his illness was in the Brief Care Program.

Jay enjoyed playing golf with his mother and brother, Fred. Each week, he always had at least one good stroke that kept him playing. Boo-yah! He also loved to jet ski and to cruise in his red Ford Thunderbird. Jay could build anything. He was a skilled finish carpenter and took great pride in renovating their 1882 home in Noank.

In addition to his wife and mother, Jay leaves his siblings, Frederick Ashton (Stephanie) and Mary Ashton of Waterford, and Robert Ashton (Marialice) of Toledo, OH; two brothers-in-law, Michael Scroggins (Rei-Anne) of Palm Coast, FL and Jamie Scroggins (Brenda) of Mystic; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Stenz of Mystic and Elizabeth Rowley of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; nieces and nephews, Frederick Jr. (Paola), Stephen (Nicole), Alexa (Cori-Jo), Cori Ann, Braden, Robert (Cabrina), Jon, Kelani, Andrew and Heather, with whom he shared a special bond. Jay also leaves behind two great-nieces, Talulah and Bella; many cousins; and his beloved cat, Katie-Kat.

He was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Ann Haddon; and a niece, Brooke Elizabeth Ashton.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. For fully vaccinated individuals, face masks are not required when entering the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Road, Mystic.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the National MS Society (https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/donate), the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org), or the Connecticut Humane Society (https://cthumane.org).