John "Jack" M. Ashley Jr.

John Malcolm Ashley, Jr., a prominent political figure in Maryland’s Democratic Party died of lung and heart complications on Monday, December 19, 2005. At the time of his death he was being transported home from Washington Hospital Center to spend his final days at home on his beloved Eastern Shore with his family. He made it to the Eastern Shore side of the bay bridge before he died. His sons, Philip and Jack were with him. Mr. Ashley, known by most people as simply “Jack” was born August 24, 1928. He was 77 years old. Jack graduated from Centreville High School in 1947 and continued working with his father, John M. Ashley, Sr. in the family propane gas business, Ashley Gas Company. In addition to his duties there, Jack served nine years in the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard leaving with a rank of sergeant first class. Jack was a lifelong farmer and real estate broker. He started Ashley Brothers Real Estate Company in 1958 and continues today as Prudential Premier Properties. The past several years he spent most of his time at his carwash and storage business on Railroad Avenue. His greatest love was helping people and he did so through politics, in particular the Democratic Party in which he was most able. Jack served two terms as Queen Anne’s County Commissioner and a member of the Queen Anne’s County Roads Board from 1970-1978. He then ran successfully for Maryland’s House of Delegates serving two terms from 1978-1986. As a member of the Appropriations committee he brought the first Medivac helicopter based on the shore to Centreville along with the second Kent Narrows Bridge appropriated several years ahead of schedule. He prided himself as a true Yellow Dog Democrat and never took a campaign contribution from anyone outside of his family. Jack belonged to many organizations, closest to his heart was the Maryland Waterman’s Association, others included the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, Kent Island Heritage Society, Queen Anne’s County Sportsman’s Club, Chesapeake Ruritan Club, Moose Lodge #831, Rock Hall Yacht Club, Kent Island Yacht Club and the Chester River Yacht and Country Club. Survivors include two sons, Philip Anthony Ashley and John M. Ashley, III, both of Centreville, MD; two grandchildren, Philip Ashley, Jr. and Eileen Ashley, both of Centreville, MD; four step-children, Patricia Bittner, Sally Parks, Tomas Callahan, all of Centreville, MD and David Callahan of Easton, MD.; a sister, Mary A. Long of Centreville, MD and a brother, Sydney G. Ashley of Centreville, MD. His first and second wives both preceded him in death, Frances Anthony Ashley and Mary Flynn Ashley. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 23, 2005 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, MD. Friends may also call on the family Ashley home at 216 Ashley Drive, Centreville, MD on Thursday from 5 – 8 PM. The family request donations to the Hospice of Queen Anne’s, Inc., 300 Del Rhodes Avenue, Queenstown, MD 21658 or to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 301 S. Liberty St., Centreville, MD 21617. Arrangements are by the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Centreville, MD.