Douglas Jay Ashley's Obituary
Douglas Jay Ashley, 72, passed away peacefully at HCA Florida Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, surrounded by his family after an extended illness.
Born and raised in Alliance, Ohio, Doug was a proud 1971 graduate of Alliance High School. He continued his education at Mount Union College and Kent State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business. Throughout his life, Doug called several Pinellas County communities home, including Treasure Island, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
A devoted sports enthusiast, Doug spent many weekends cheering for his favorite teams—the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Guardians, Cavaliers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Tampa Bay Rays. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing football and softball at Silver Park in Alliance.
Doug’s work life led him briefly to American Steel Foundries in Alliance before he transitioned to various accounting and inventory control roles in Florida. He also spent several summers in Alaska, working on fishing boats and taking in the rugged beauty and serenity of the landscape and ocean.
Doug embraced the Florida lifestyle wholeheartedly. He loved walking the Gulf Coast beaches with his metal detector, ocean and pier fishing, bicycling, jogging, and shooting hoops whenever he could. He also enjoyed attending local festivals and supporting area artists and musicians.
Known for his gracious spirit, Doug was deeply admired for his generosity, especially in his quiet but meaningful efforts to help the homeless and those in need. He lived simply, finding joy in the activities and places he loved most.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathleen (Hutmacher) Ashley; his brother, Brian Ashley; his grandparents, Samuel and Garnet Hutmacher of Sebring, Ohio, and Jerry M. and Cecil Ashley of Youngstown, Ohio; his brother-in-law, Kirk Briggs; his sister-in-law, Karen J. Ashley; and numerous aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his sister, Debbie Ashley-Briggs of Pocatello, Idaho; his brothers David Ashley of Boise, Idaho, and Daniel Ashley of Maryland; niece and nephew Jacquie and Jason Briggs of Pocatello, Idaho; Ross (Dana) Cipriano and Nathan Ashley of Boise, Idaho; Ethan and Alec Ashley of Bellingham, Washington; and many cousins in Ohio and Florida.
Services were entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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