Darrell A. Ashdown

Darrell A. Ashdown
of Tewksbury,
former Little League Umpire; 76

TEWKSBURY -- Darrell A. Ashdown, age 76, a Tewksbury resident for over five decades, died peacefully in his home on Friday, March 25, while surrounded by his family, after a courageous seven year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

He was the beloved husband of Alice M. (Cassely) with whom he celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary last September 12.

He was born March 20, 1935 in Boston, a son of the late Stanley and Clythie (Hazlett) Ashdown. He was raised in Wilmington, and has been a Tewksbury resident for the past 50 years.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in Alaska at the close of the Korean War.

Prior to retirement, he was the owner and salesman of a Bachman Food Franchise, and worked throughout the Merrimack Valley. He was a well known patron at the Bradford Lantern Coffee Shop in Tewksbury, where he "held court" at the counter on an almost daily basis.

In his earlier years, he volunteered as a Little League Umpire for over 20 years. He was a member of Tewksbury Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8164, and an avid and competitive golfer. He also loved spending time with his family and summering at his vacation home at Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

As only "Papa"could, he was a strong and vocal supporter at his grandchildren's sporting events.

Besides his wife, Alice, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Chip Ashdown and his wife, Lisa (Houlihan) of Tyngsboro, two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen Riccardi and her husband, Paul of Chelmsford, Linda Hill and her husband, Christopher of Chelmsford, was the beloved "Papa" of six grandchildren, Lauren and Nicole Riccardi, Brittany and Tori Ashdown, Derek and Jennifer Hill; a brother, Stanley and his wife, Elaine (Hersom) Ashdown of Wilmington; and many nieces and nephews.

ASHDOWN -- of Tewksbury, formerly of Wilmington. March 25. Darrell A. Ashdown, age 76, beloved husband of Alice M. (Cassely) Ashdown. Visiting hours Tuesday, March 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main St. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851-2950. His funeral will begin Wednesday, March 30, at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38), Tewksbury. There will be no cemetery services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the All Care Hospice, 16 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901 or the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway, Lowell, MA 01854. tewksburyfuneralhome.com