Enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and cars

NORTH READING — Howard M. Ash Jr., 94, of North Reading, formerly of Lynnfield and Somerville, died at his home on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021.

He was the beloved husband of the late Judith M. (Anderson) Ash. Born in Cambridge on June 5, 1927, he was the son of the late Howard M. Sr. and Lilly (Payne) Ash. He was raised and attended school in Lynnfield. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II.

Howard worked for General Electric after serving in the U.S. Navy. He later worked for American Architectural Iron Company (Local No. 7 Ironworkers) for over 30 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, cars and car repairing. His favorite sport was auto racing. He was very talented in that he could fix or build anything. If something was broken, you could always count on him to repair it. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 62 years. Howard was a member of the Granite State Wheelmen Bicycle Club, East Coast Sidebanders Radio Club and the Lowell Sportsmen’s Club.

His loving son, Russell Ash and his wife, Karen; his daughter Carolyn Ash; and his daughter Martha Hartery and her husband Owen survive Howard. Four grandchildren also survive Howard: Brian, Laura, Shannon and Colleen. Four great-grandchildren also survive him: Alana, Austin, Julian and Liliana. He was the brother of the late Hedley Ash and Dorothy Hopkins.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the North Reading Food Pantry, 150 Haverhill St., North Reading, MA 01864.