BUCKSPORT - Ashley Eugene Coombs, 91, most treasured husband of Barbara A. Coombs, crossed over July 6, 2022, at home, in the arms of his wife. He was born on March 2, 1931, in Bucksport, the son of Basil J. and Jennie E. (Eastman) Coombs.
He was a member of the last class of students to attend the Duck Cove School on Route 46, now known as “The Little Yellow School”. A member of the Class of 1949 at Bucksport High School, following graduation Ashley enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, earning the rank of sergeant and serving as a communications instructor. While in the service, he saved enough money to buy a brand new, coral, hardtop Chevy convertible. Through the years, Ashley faithfully kept in contact with the many friends he had made during that time. He was a proud veteran and became an avid reader focusing on books pertaining to the history of World War II.
After he was discharged, Ashley returned to Maine and worked three years for Central Maine Power before becoming employed by New England Telephone and Telegraph (Ma Bell) for nearly thirty years. He retired in 1984, just in time to enjoy becoming a grandfather to Billy and begin planning many trips throughout the United States, accompanied by Barbara and their most favorite cat. Later on, a winter home in Ocala, Florida, was purchased where they enjoyed new experiences.
Ashley was a longtime member of the Rising Sun Lodge, #71, A.F. & A.M. of Orland, The Maine Academy of Country Music and The Duck Cove Community Club. For many years he and Barbara devoted their time and energy to making repairs and planning fundraisers to maintain and preserve that historic building, “The Little Yellow School”.
He was predeceased by brothers, Dick and Russ; step-son, Allan Cyr; sister-in-law, Edie Coombs; great friends, Trygve Hoel, Russell Doyle and Donnie Barker; and all of his favorite kitties. Ashley will be dearly missed by Barbara, his wife of nearly forty years; daughter, Karen Lander and her partner, Deb Davis; and step-son, Bret H. Cyr; and his daughters, all of Florida; his grandson, William Ashley Lander, and fiancee, Melanie Rines, his great-granddaughter, Raegan (Josie) Lander and his great-grandson, Ryan William Lander, all of NH; cousins, Bill and Christine Gilfillan of Hampden; a very special nephew, he considered a son, Lamont Coombs, Jr. and wife, Maureen; a special sister-in-law, Emmie Coombs and her daughter, Erna Pontillo of Arizona; nieces, nephews and a brother, Lamont Coombs, Sr.
Ashley considered Cleo Redman and Helga Swanson to be his “almost daughters” and enjoyed close friendships with Don and Joyce Unterseher, Tony and Jill Pimentel, Jim MacDonald, Jason Staples, Henry Violette and many, many others. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Laura Bridgman for her exceptional care of this wonderful man.
Ashley loves us all…...forever.
In keeping with Ashley’s wishes, services will be private. Those wishing to remember Ashley in a special way may make gifts in his memory to The Little Yellow School, Attention: Peter Fairbank, PO Box 158, Bucksport, Maine 04416. Condolences to the family may be mailed to Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, Maine 04401.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ashley Coombs, please visit our flower store.
He was a member of the last class of students to attend the Duck Cove School on Route 46, now known as “The Little Yellow School”. A member of the Class of 1949 at Bucksport High School, following graduation Ashley enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, earning the rank of sergeant and serving as a communications instructor. While in the service, he saved enough money to buy a brand new, coral, hardtop Chevy convertible. Through the years, Ashley faithfully kept in contact with the many friends he had made during that time. He was a proud veteran and became an avid reader focusing on books pertaining to the history of World War II.
After he was discharged, Ashley returned to Maine and worked three years for Central Maine Power before becoming employed by New England Telephone and Telegraph (Ma Bell) for nearly thirty years. He retired in 1984, just in time to enjoy becoming a grandfather to Billy and begin planning many trips throughout the United States, accompanied by Barbara and their most favorite cat. Later on, a winter home in Ocala, Florida, was purchased where they enjoyed new experiences.
Ashley was a longtime member of the Rising Sun Lodge, #71, A.F. & A.M. of Orland, The Maine Academy of Country Music and The Duck Cove Community Club. For many years he and Barbara devoted their time and energy to making repairs and planning fundraisers to maintain and preserve that historic building, “The Little Yellow School”.
He was predeceased by brothers, Dick and Russ; step-son, Allan Cyr; sister-in-law, Edie Coombs; great friends, Trygve Hoel, Russell Doyle and Donnie Barker; and all of his favorite kitties. Ashley will be dearly missed by Barbara, his wife of nearly forty years; daughter, Karen Lander and her partner, Deb Davis; and step-son, Bret H. Cyr; and his daughters, all of Florida; his grandson, William Ashley Lander, and fiancee, Melanie Rines, his great-granddaughter, Raegan (Josie) Lander and his great-grandson, Ryan William Lander, all of NH; cousins, Bill and Christine Gilfillan of Hampden; a very special nephew, he considered a son, Lamont Coombs, Jr. and wife, Maureen; a special sister-in-law, Emmie Coombs and her daughter, Erna Pontillo of Arizona; nieces, nephews and a brother, Lamont Coombs, Sr.
Ashley considered Cleo Redman and Helga Swanson to be his “almost daughters” and enjoyed close friendships with Don and Joyce Unterseher, Tony and Jill Pimentel, Jim MacDonald, Jason Staples, Henry Violette and many, many others. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Laura Bridgman for her exceptional care of this wonderful man.
Ashley loves us all…...forever.
In keeping with Ashley’s wishes, services will be private. Those wishing to remember Ashley in a special way may make gifts in his memory to The Little Yellow School, Attention: Peter Fairbank, PO Box 158, Bucksport, Maine 04416. Condolences to the family may be mailed to Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, Maine 04401.
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