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, November 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. Ash Sr. and Lilly (Payne) Ash. He was raised and attended school in Lynnfield. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of 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.

Family members include his loving son and daughters, Russell Ash and his wife Karen, Carolyn Ash, and Martha Hartery and her husband Owen; four grandchildren, Brian, Laura, Shannon and Colleen; four great-grandchildren, 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 Street, North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the North Reading Food Pantry, 150 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864.