Keohane Funeral Home

Richard L. Ash, Jr. of North Weymouth and Wellfleet passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 15, 2024.

Born in 1941, he was the beloved son of Richard Lawrence and Marguerite Elizabeth (Grady) Ash of North Weymouth. Through a full life dedicated to family, rewarding work and time spent enjoying the great outdoors, he was able to leave with a grateful heart.

Richard worked as a shipfitter for 25 years at Bethlehem Steel and General Dynamics until the closing of the Fore River Shipyard; the last great chapter in this region’s 350-year history of shipbuilding. He was a graduate of GTE Sylvania Technical School of Wentworth Institute of Technology and worked as an IT Technician for Digital Equipment Corporation on computer systems at Boston and Cambridge colleges and technology firms. In the final chapter of his working life, he was a Local 537 Member and worked for EMCOR as an HVAC Mechanic for the Boston Public Library across the twenty-five neighborhood branches. He took pride in servicing this historic cultural institution. 

He was an avid sailor and experienced navigator. He was a Lifetime Member of Wessagusset Yacht Club and Town River Yacht Club and with his wife Alice enjoyed glorious family adventures sailing on the “Sunburst”. He was a co-founder of the Hingham Bay PHRF Racing Fleet and served on regatta and race committees for many years. He loved open ocean sailing and offshore racing, especially the Marblehead to Halifax, Nova Scotia and FIGAWI Races and down the Atlantic East Coast.

He will be remembered dearly for his unconditional love and support of his family. Beloved husband of 61 years to Alice Teresa (Cullen) Ash of North Weymouth. Devoted father of Thomas Ash (Jane) of Gloucester, Deborah Ash (Charles) of Wellfleet, and Brian Ash of Quincy. He is also survived by his cherished sister Dorothy Knoll of North Attleboro and his dear cousins Denis Grady, Mary Kelly, and Andrew Ash. Cherished brother-in-law of Terrance Cullen of FL, Patricia and Jerry DiLillo of Weymouth, Terri Cullen of FL and the late Elizabeth (Cullen) and Walter McLean, Joseph and Celina Cullen, Willie and Leona Cullen, Charlene Cullen, George Cullen, and Eugene Cullen. Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews and their children who he very much adored. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday 4-7 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:45 AM on Saturday. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Jerome’s Church, North Weymouth at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s name may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org).