Westfield – 
John Francis “Jack” Ashe, 85, passed away suddenly on January 5, 2018. He was born in Westfield to the late Matthew and Catherine (Greaney) Ashe who emigrated from the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, Ireland. John was a 1949 graduate of Westfield Trade School, and he served his country from 1949-1953 stationed in Germany. Jack worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service for many years, retiring in 1992. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Westfield, a Life Member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 124, Westfield, Charter Member and lifetime member of the Sons of Erin, Westfield and a member of the Westfield Lodge of Elk’s. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Claire J. (Warchol) Ashe, his loving children, Sandra J. Johnson and her husband Edd of Denver, CO, Susan M. O’Hearn and her husband Mike of Knoxville, TN, Timothy M. Ashe (Judi) of St. Thomas, USVI, and Christine A. Ashe (Jim) of Lake Placid, NY, his cherished grandchildren, Charles Michael O’ Hearn, III (Meagan), Kathleen Soulliere and John Francis “Jack” O’Hearn and great grandson, Charles Michael O’Hearn, IV almost 2, with whom he shared his fondness for John Deere lawn mowers. He also leaves behind his dear sister Mary Pettengill of Westfield, brother in-law Henry Warchol, sisters in-laws Mary Blicharz and Marilyn Warchol along with a terrific band of nephews and nieces. (All of whom believe that he rooted for the wrong baseball team.) He was predeceased by his younger brother Gregory Ashe, his niece JoAnn Pettengill, and brother-in-laws Edward Blicharz, Paul Pettengill, and Matthew Warchol. John Francis, who had many a nickname including “Jack,” “Red,” and “The Moth,” never met a stranger. Whether it was a network of great neighbors on The Hill, swimming with his noodlers group, playing bocce at the Italian Club, or giving candy to those in the drive-thru window on his daily coffee run, Jack was a caring,welcoming character indeed. For years he delighted in representing Post 124 by dressing as the Rabbit to bring Easter candy to local nursing homes and hospitals. He was always up for a good time, and loved being in the paper, just not this way. He will be deeply missed. We’ll keep the porch light on for you, Dad. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 9AM from the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM in OL of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Rd. Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4-7 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to the Boys & Girls Club of Westfield, the Sons of Erin Scholarship Fund, or the American Legion Post 124 baseball program. www.firtionadams.com
