Obituary of Jay Joseph Ashton

Jay Joseph Ashton West Caldwell Resident Jay Joseph Ashton, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 18, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was 83 years old. Born in Newark, NJ and raised in Long Island, NY, Jay was the son of Ralph and Sylvia (Smith) Shapiro. He proudly served in the US Army, graduated from NYU and moved to NJ, eventually settling in West Caldwell in 1962, where he and his wife, Barbara, raised three girls. Jay was an advertising executive for most of his career. Later he mentored professionals as a career consultant. Upon retirement he worked for Mercury Mail Service in Fairfield, NJ. In his spare time he pursued his passion in the theatre, acting with Playcrafters and the Montclair Studio Players. He also enjoyed traveling, tennis, The Mets, reading and most especially family, including his pets. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara L.H. (Kemp); devoted daughters and their husbands, Kathryn & Bryan Alcox, Julie & Thomas Ashton-Thrun and Lori & Anthony Banchi; siblings, Dore Ashton, Jed Shapiro, Jan Shapiro and Steven Ashton; loving grandchildren, Jocelyn, Bryan, Maxwell, Rachel, Jack, Elizabeth and Christopher. A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 5 – 8 pm at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay's memory to the West Essex First Aid Squad, PO Box 662, West Caldwell, NJ 07007-0662 or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. To extend a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com.