Melvin Ash

Melvin "Mel" Rodney Ash, 83, of Saint Johnsbury, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at DHMC following a brief illness.

Melvin was born on October 28, 1932 in Saint Johnsbury, Vt., the son of Albert "Bun" Charles Ash and Ruth Leah Jay Noyes.  Known by an extended network of family and friends as an "All Around Good Guy", he was a graduate of St Johnsbury Academy Class of 1951 and life-long Academy booster.

He loved sports; playing football, baseball and basketball and in his earlier life enjoyed hunting and fishing. As a Veteran, he spent four years in the US Air Force in Texas, NY and Nevada. He was employed for 18 years with the Ralston Purina Company prior to the plant closings in the 1970's. This was followed by 12 years at Calco Inc. and another 18 years in sales at Oldcastle/Arthur Whitcomb/Brown's Concrete in NH. He retired in 2004 after 48 years as a valued employee who had continued with the company thru several acquisitions.

Melvin married Bernice Barbara Crepeault in 1957.  Three children were born shortly thereafter:  Lorrie Lee and the twins Kathy Mel and Keith Charles. They celebrated many anniversary landmarks and family vacations along the way, including a large fun-filled 50th wedding anniversary party shared with his brother Rodney and his wife Pat, lots of family and friends and everyone's favorite, our own "Elvis" show.

At the age of 83, Melvin was predeceased by several family members: his son Keith and daughter Kathy, his mother and father, his mother-in-law Hazel Pearl Champany, father-in-law Philip Charles Crepeault, sisters Alberta and her husband James Moore, Priscilla and her husband Walter Ross, Elva  (survived by her husband Donald Lewis), and brother Rodney Ash and wife Pat Kittredge. Brother-in-laws included Robert Crepeault (survived by his wife Sandra Barrett) and Dr. John Stetson (survived by his wife Doris Crepeault). Melvin passes on with others to join him down the road:  his wife Bernice and daughter Lee, several nieces and nephews and countless friends and acquaintances.

He firmly believed that hell was probably full and he had a good chance of getting into heaven.

A celebration of Mel's life will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at the Elks Lodge at 118 Western Avenue.  At his request, donations are not necessary but any should be sent to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com.