Charles Robert Ashford

Sunapee, NH, Charles Robert "Chuck" Ashford, 83, passed away peacefully on November 11th, 2015 at the Clough Center in New London after a several years of declining health. He was the son of Thomas William and Marie (Kiessling) Ashford, born in Naugatuck, CT, on December 2nd, 1931. Charles attended Naugatuck High School, graduating from Crosby High School in Waterbury, CT. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning rank of Eagle Scout and in 1947 at age 15 he was selected to attend the 6th World Jamboree of Boy Scouts in France.

He went on to the University of Connecticut in Storrs, graduating with a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with honors. He joined Theta Xi fraternity and worked part time as their fraternity chef. As a young engineer he began his career at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Washington; moved on to Singer Corporation in Bridgeport. CT; and soon after to Long Island, New York; Washington, D.C.; and eventually back to Connecticut to start his own business.

While at UConn he met Barbara Atwood and they were married in 1955 and moved to Arlington, Virginia. In November of 1956, their first son, Robert Thomas, was born at Women's' Hospital in D.C. In 1957 they relocated back to Connecticut to raise their family. At that time he and his business partner, longtime friend Robert Engelstad, started Wood-Tec Homes Corporation. They began a long career planning and developing subdivisions in Connecticut, building dozens of houses in Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties, and a large apartment and condominium complex in Naugatuck CT.

Charles held a Professional Engineer License in the states of CT and NH and established three separate corporations during his life, including "Power Center" in Naugatuck, CT selling boats, snowmobiles and other sports vehicles and equipment. The Ashford family moved to Granliden on Sunapee, NH in 1972 yet Chuck continued to run his business in Connecticut for many years. After "retiring" in 2000, Chuck continued to build houses in Newport, NH and started another business called Engelford Crafts, designing and building custom tables.

Chuck enjoyed golfing at Granliden and skiing at Mt. Sunapee, in Colorado, Nevada, California and Europe. He earned his Captain's license from the US Coast Guard, and as Captain with friends and family as crew, he cruised the east coast from Canada to Florida in his 48 foot Hatteras.

His friends and family knew him as someone who would not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Always willing to explain in detail how anything was built; welcoming all onto his yacht for week-long adventures; and of course talking endlessly about World War II. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Club and also enjoyed memberships at the Moose and Eagles organizations making many friends.

Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Amelia (Atwood) Ashford, his daughter Donna Lynn Timme, her husband Benjamin Thomas Timme, grandson's Benjamin Charles Timme and Charles Arthur Timme; son William Charles Ashford, his wife Anne Marie (Rolli) and granddaughters Elizabeth Marie, and Jocelyn Amelia Ashford; son Robert's wife Danee (McQuade) Ashford; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his son Robert Thomas Ashford and his brother Frank Leonard Ashford and two step brothers, Ellsworth and Howard Ashford.

Charles will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony at New Eastman Cemetery in Sunapee, NH. The family would like to extend an invitation to all to a "Celebration of Life" at Mountain Edge Resort, in Newbury, NH from 2pm to 5pm on December 12, 2015.

If you wish to honor his memory you may donate to the Boy Scouts of America at: BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 71 c/o First Baptist Church, PO Box 336, New London, NH 03257