Former Fairfax-Fletcher-Westford Band Member Dies At Age 76

[Henry]

DAVID MACOMBER ASHLEY

WESTFORD - David Macomber Ashley, 76, died unexpectedly Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, 2013. David was born in Taunton, Mass., on May 13, 1936, the son of Herbert Macomber and Clara Frances (Munroe) Ashley. He graduated from Dighton High School as a Junior, and enrolled at Yale University where he received his undergraduate degree in 1956 and his Architectural Degree from Yale University Architectural School in 1958. On June 16, 1956, he married Sandra Wiggin in Hamilton, Mass. He had worked as an Architect at Freeman French Freeman for 53 years, retiring on his birthday in 2011. Dave was very active and enjoyed hiking, skiing, gardening, puzzles, singing, playing the piano, and bass horn. He also was director of the Bells of St. James, a member of the St. James Choir, the VT Choral Union, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Westford/Fairfax/Fletcher Band, Enosburg Town Band, Sterling Weed's Imperial Orchestra and the Mad Bavarians. David is survived by his loving wife of over 56 years, Sandra Ashley of Westford; their children, Eric Kimball Ashley and wife, Lisa Limoge, of Lyons, Colo., Stuart Chase Ashley and wife, Christina, of Westford, Elizabeth Ashley O'Connor and husband, Timothy, of Lafayette, Colo., Cynthia Ashley Shepard and husband, Gerald H. Shepard Jr., of Grand Isle, and Jonathan Briggs Ashley and wife, Janelle, of Whiting; grandchildren, Gabe, Travis, Lauren, Martine, Katie, Matthew, Hannah, Ben, Julia, Nicholas, Jacob, Wyatt, Silas, David and Jarrod; great-grandson, Brayden; sister, Jean Harmon and husband, Robert, of Berkley, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Charles. A funeral service will be held at the St. James Episcopal Church in Essex Junction on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at 10 am. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton. Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Drive, Williston, VT 05495.

[Chris Santee]

Westford Music Seriies Presents
The Bells of St. James and The Essex Children’s Choir

DATE of Event:    February 17, 2013
Time:    4-5 p.m.
Where:    UCW White Church, Westford
Contact:   mhamrell@comcast.net
The Bells of St. James will be one of two featured music performances at the Westford UCW white church on February 17th from 4-5pm.  They will share the program with the Essex Children’s Choir.

The Bells of St. James is a 10 piece hand bell choir ensemble that uses the musical art of handbell/hand chime ringing to play specially designed compositions for bells. The Bell Choir will offer a mixed repertoire of both classical and traditional music through the peals of both melody and harmony in the highly resonant sound of bells. The concert will be dedicated to their former choir leader, David Ashley.

The Essex Children’s Choir under the direction of Constance Price has enriched the life of Vermont since their inception in 1985 and has long been a favorite in Westford.  Known for their angelic voices, excellence in sound and beautiful selections of music, the Choir has performed at international, national and state music conferences.

The concert has free admission followed by refreshments and opportunity to meet the performers. 
For more information call Marge Hamrell@ 802-879-4028