Obituary of Victor A. Ashland

Victor A. Ashland of Montville, 81, died Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, Maine, with his family by his side. He leaves his wife of 38 years, Patricia (Smith) Ashland, his brother, Lou Ashland, and his sister, Sylvia (Ashland) Morin. His children: Pamela (Ashland) Prescott, Brian Ashland, Raymond Ashland and his wife, Sandra Armour, Julie Ashland and her companion, Justin Marr, Karen (Ashland) Rhyne and her husband, Michael Rhyne. His step-children: Patrick York, Thomas York and his wife, Samantha (Hurston) York, Amy York. Also seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and many close friends. Born and raised in Belgrade, Maine, the son of Albert and Doris (Libby) Ashland, he graduated from Belgrade High School in 1953. He married Arlene Frances (Sawyer), daughter of Chester and Bertha Sawyer, at St. Mary’s Church in Augusta Maine on May 9, 1955. They resided in Belgrade with their three children, Pam, Brian and Ray, until Arlene’s death on December 30, 1976. He married Patricia Eileen (Smith) on January 29, 1977 and the family moved to Montville, Maine in 1977. There they made a welcoming home for their extended family and many friends. Victor served in the Army from 1954 to 1957. Stationed in Panama, he learned helicopter mechanics and provided that service in South America. He enhanced his helicopter mechanical skills with aviation school and throughout his career, earning an extra diploma as a Maintenance Specialist from New Hampshire Helicopters, Inc. in May 1963 and receiving an award as the General Aviation Mechanic for the State of Maine in 1975 for “making the most outstanding contribution to air safety in Maine”. He worked at Maine Helicopter in Augusta, Maine from 1959 until his retirement in 2000. His excellence in his field of expertise meant that he continued work on special projects throughout his retirement. Vic was an avid sportsman, whose knowledge of the Maine woods and waters was exceeded only by his love for them. He enjoyed ice and open water fishing of all kinds as well as hunting, canoeing and camping with family and friends throughout Maine and in the Maritime provinces. He frequented his camp in Flagstaff, Maine whenever possible. In addition to sharing their home with their family, Vic and Patti enjoyed traveling. As a couple, with family, and with friends, they traveled to Europe and to New Zealand for vacations. They also traveled to Hawaii, Alaska and most continental states as well as many excursions in to Canada. They took trips in their camper and enjoyed several cruises. In 2009, Victor joined Patti while she taught clinical nursing on the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean and endeared himself to all with his volunteer efforts for the island community and college. Vic was dry witted, canny, stoic and deeply caring. As one of his children said, “He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a cup of strong coffee in his hands”. He believed strongly in New England traditions – participating in Town Meetings every year, caring for his neighbors by helping with plowing or harvesting or building, playing cribbage, and was an active and valued member of his community. He was a touchstone for his family and will be deeply missed. There will be a memorial service on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 11 A.M. at the Freedom Congregational Church, 45 Pleasant Street, Freedom, Maine followed by a gathering at the family home at 525 Goosepecker Ridge Road, Montville, Maine. All family, friends and members of the community are welcome. A graveside service is scheduled tentatively for the afternoon at 3:30, Pine Grove Cemetery, Cemetery Road in Belgrade. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Waldo County General Hospital Hospice, of Belfast, Maine in memory of Victor Ashland.