Robert T. Ashby, 85, of Alna, died Feb. 2 at the Veterans Medical Center after a brief illness.
He was born in Pembroke, Oct. 30, 1922, the fifth of eight children born to Harry and Annie (Woodcock) Ashby.
He attended Pembroke area schools and worked in highway construction in Meddybenys. He was employed by Howard Allen and involved in road grading, excavating and maintenance. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps working everywhere and anywhere in the State of Maine. In 1942, he joined the Army and served during WWII with Headquarters Battery-227th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion. He also did work with the heavy equipment/truck maintenance and transportation.
He was a member of Bradford, Sortwell, Wright Post 54 American Legion of Wiscasset for 20 years.
Bob and his siblings were separated in their youth but he managed to keep in touch with them as best as possible through the years. He enjoyed his phone conversations with his sisters, Doris and Evon.
Bob raised pigeons and referred to them as his girls. He hand-dug a pond, as he could never sit idle; keeping busy is what kept him going. Building birdhouses, planting a garden, canning his tomatoes, and maintaining a raspberry patch were only a few of the many things that he enjoyed. Bob also liked to read so when his eyesight began to fail, he carried a magnifying glass in his pocket. Anyone having a conversation with Bob can agree that it was not always easy to understand him, however, through life we are reminded that we all have value, as each one of us is unique with our own special gifts.
Bob asked that we please thank all the people in his community for being good neighbors. During Bob’s short stay at the VA Medical Center, he won the hearts of his many caregivers, as they would agree he was “one of a kind.”
Survivors include his son, Herbert G. Ashby and wife Louise of China; daughter, Darleen Ashby of Alna; grandsons, Ian Ashby of Lewiston and children Jordan and Seth, Abram Ashby and wife Shanna and children Cody and Paige of China, Justin Ashby of Lewiston, and Nic Ashby of Louisiana; sisters, Doris Turlo of Torrance, Cal. and Evon Connors of Charleston, Mass.; special niece, Rosemarie Cockran of Connecticut; special friends, Fred and Mary Bowers of Alna; and special nephew, Leroy Ashby and daughter Hallee of Readfield.
He was predeceased by brothers, George, Lawrence, Ralph and Harry; and sister, Dorothy Sprague.
At his request, Bob will be privately buried at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta at a convenient time for the family.
Arrangements are entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. To send a letter of condolence to this family — click here.
