Ronald Thomas Ashley

Ronald Thomas Ashley, known fondly as Ron, age 65, of Clayton, DE, passed away with his loving wife by his side at the Delaware Hospice Center on Friday, July 17, 2015, after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. A native Delawarean, Ron was born in Wilmington on July 14, 1950, and was a son of Raymond Cain Ashley and Irene Elizabeth (Ignatowski) Gunshefski. He graduated from William Penn High School in New Castle in 1968 and later served in the Delaware Army National Guard from 1969 to 1975, prior to being honorably discharged. Ron was employed at Georgia Gulf in Delaware City for 23 years until the plant closed. He then accepted a position at the PBF Refinery in Delaware City where he worked for the next 17 years until he was diagnosed with cancer. Ron possessed a tremendous work ethic and was a dedicated employee. He took great pride in his home and yard and truly enjoyed riding his John Deere tractor. Known as a perfectionist, Ron put his all into every project and loved helping family and friends, especially his sons-in-law, Nick and Marty with their projects as well. In his leisure time, he enjoyed cheering on his favorite baseball team, the Phillies and hosting holiday and Sunday dinners with his wife “ whose delicious home cooked meals he adored. During his illness, Ron kept his spirits up by watching his favorite television show, NCIS and reruns of Bonanza and Everybody Loves Raymond and by spending time with his faithful canine companion, Sophie. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend to many and will be dearly missed. Ron was greeted in Heaven by his father, Raymond; mother and father in law, Dot and Bill Gardiner; and brothers in law, Wayne Jarrell and Billy Gardiner. He is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Dorothy A. Dottie (Gardiner) Ashley; mother, Irene of Wilmington; daughters, Dawn Krasavage (Marty) of Middletown and Danielle DelDuco (Nick) of Clayton; brothers, Ray Ashley, Bob Ashley and David Ashley (Lynn); 4 sisters in law, Carol Stant, Debbie Jarrell and Joann Rucker; 2 brothers in law, Frank Stant and Larry Rucker; 6 nephews; 4 nieces; 5 great nephews; 1 great niece; 4 grandchildren, Hannah and Joey Krasavage and Cecilia and Dominic DelDuco; and many friends. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Delaware Hospice of Kent County, especially his nurse Ashley, Reverend Raymond Taylor and Chrissy; the staff at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford; and the staff of the Helen Graham Cancer Center, especially Dr. Gregory Masters and his compassionate staff. A funeral service will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.