CECIL ASHDOWN

ASHDOWN--Cecil Spanton has died at 92, familiarly known as "Span," died Monday morning (March 23) at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan after treatment for longstanding heart disease. Trained as an engineer, he had served as a naval officer and became a recognized authority on steamship histories. A native New Yorker he was born at Flower Hospital on May 14, 1923, and brought up in Bermuda with a residence in New York. After prep school at Ridley College in St. Catharine's, Ontario, he earned his BSE (Bachelor of Science and Engineering) degree at Princeton in 1944, then proceeded immediately to the U.S. Naval Academy, emerging as an Ensign. There ensued several years of active service, during which he served as Chief Engineering Officer aboard the U.S.S Wrangell in World War II. He remained in the U.S. Navy Reserve and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Commander. After his wartime service he entered Harvard Business School (MBA, 1948) and began a business career of more than three decades with the Alcoa Steamship Company, where he became Purchasing Manager, served until 1980, and remained a consultant for life. He also became secretary of the board of directors of the Pan-Ore Steamship Company. Mr. Ashdown was a member of the World Ship Society, the Naval Reserve Association, the Navy League, and the Naval Order of the United States. His abiding nautical interests led to board service for the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Steamship Historical Society of America (1950-76), and the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler. Other interests led to board memberships for the Grenfell Association of America, of which his father, Cecil Spanton Ashdown, Sr., was the founding financial director for Sir Wilfred Grenfell, and the Musicians Emergency Fund, of which his wife, Marie M. Ashdown, has served as executive director since 1985. Love for music also led to his membership in the Metropolitan Opera Club in 1966 and board service for that organization. In addition to his wife, Mr. Ashdown's survivors include their sons Cecil S. Ashdown III and Charles Coster Ashdown; stepchildren Mrs. Vivian Gartman Silliman, Rev. John Stephen Gartman; and grandchildren Marygrace and Helen Ashdown. No plans for visitation or a memorial service have been announced.