Obituary for Jerome Peter Ashfield
Jerome Peter Ashfield 90 years old, affectionately known as G-Pa, JP, and Big Panda, peacefully passed in his sleep on January 9th, 2021 at his residence in Pompton Lakes NJ.
Born to Edward and Julie Ashfield on December 10, 1930 in North Bergen NJ and shared his childhood with his siblings Steven and Madge.
Mr. Ashfield served with the 108th Fighter Bomber Wing from 1950 to 1953 with Honorable Discharge. Shortly thereafter, he courted the love of his life and married on April 10, 1955 Carole Kirke Millberry of Marblehead MA. They shared 45 years of marriage and the love for each other and for their children Tom Scott and Jacqueline Kirke was unconditional. As a family, they often traveled, skied and spent summers camping on Lake George, NY.
Jerry was a force of nature, determined to be successful, provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He worked as a photographer where he later opened his first business Baratta Studios in Hoboken NJ. JP later founded National Talent Association modeling agency in 1966 and retired in 1999.
Jerry was passionate about planes, exotic cars, snowmobiling and skiing. He was a private pilot for 32 years. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the International Order of Characters (IOC). The latter is an organization dedicated to improving the fields of aviation and aerospace. Mr. Ashfield was selected in 1993 as the IOC Character of the Year.
His greatest enjoyment was his home on beautiful Lake George. It was a place where he lived half the year and where his family and friends came together. In his residence at Pompton Lakes, NJ, he would mastermind gatherings for parties and was known for being a “Social Architect”. On a serious note, he was always available to help, listen, direct and give council to helping family and friends.
Anyone who knew JP knew that he was a kind, generous, fun character and how important his family and friends were to him. Jerry was predeceased by his beautiful wife Carole Kirke (Millberry) Ashfield, his sister Magdeline (Madge) Randa and nephew Doug Randa. He is survived by his children; Thomas Scott Ashfield, his wife Paula of Wantage NJ and her family, Jacqueline Kirke Heins and her husband William of Medford NJ. His grandchildren; Justine Kirke Deselich and her husband James Deselich of Marlton, NJ, Ryan William Heins and his wife Kaitlin Summa Heins of South Abington Twp, PA, Trevor Jerome Heins and his fiancé Samantha Kaplan of Philadelphia PA. His great grandchildren; Carina Hope Deselich, Eloise Mae Heins, Bennett Kirke Deselich, Charles Barrett Heins, his brother and sister-in-law Steven and Rita Ashfield of Hawaii, and his brother-in-law Charles Randa of Clermont FL.
There will be a funeral service at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Pompton Ave. Pompton Lakes, NJ on Saturday January 23rd @ 11:00 a.m. Afterwards there will be a viewing from approximately 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., at Jerry’s home, which is 30 Park Place, Pompton Lakes, NJ
On behalf of the Ashfield family and for the safety of all concerned, due to the COVID pandemic, the viewing at the Ashfield’s home will be held in an OPEN-AIR area and masks are required at all times. We appreciate your cooperation. Saint Mary’s Church is permitted to have 150 people in Church and we will have live streaming of the Funeral Mass and the Viewing for those who cannot attend. The link for the live stream is: goodnightevents.com and click the youtube live link on the top right.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to: The American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Born to Edward and Julie Ashfield on December 10, 1930 in North Bergen NJ and shared his childhood with his siblings Steven and Madge.
Mr. Ashfield served with the 108th Fighter Bomber Wing from 1950 to 1953 with Honorable Discharge. Shortly thereafter, he courted the love of his life and married on April 10, 1955 Carole Kirke Millberry of Marblehead MA. They shared 45 years of marriage and the love for each other and for their children Tom Scott and Jacqueline Kirke was unconditional. As a family, they often traveled, skied and spent summers camping on Lake George, NY.
Jerry was a force of nature, determined to be successful, provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He worked as a photographer where he later opened his first business Baratta Studios in Hoboken NJ. JP later founded National Talent Association modeling agency in 1966 and retired in 1999.
Jerry was passionate about planes, exotic cars, snowmobiling and skiing. He was a private pilot for 32 years. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the International Order of Characters (IOC). The latter is an organization dedicated to improving the fields of aviation and aerospace. Mr. Ashfield was selected in 1993 as the IOC Character of the Year.
His greatest enjoyment was his home on beautiful Lake George. It was a place where he lived half the year and where his family and friends came together. In his residence at Pompton Lakes, NJ, he would mastermind gatherings for parties and was known for being a “Social Architect”. On a serious note, he was always available to help, listen, direct and give council to helping family and friends.
Anyone who knew JP knew that he was a kind, generous, fun character and how important his family and friends were to him. Jerry was predeceased by his beautiful wife Carole Kirke (Millberry) Ashfield, his sister Magdeline (Madge) Randa and nephew Doug Randa. He is survived by his children; Thomas Scott Ashfield, his wife Paula of Wantage NJ and her family, Jacqueline Kirke Heins and her husband William of Medford NJ. His grandchildren; Justine Kirke Deselich and her husband James Deselich of Marlton, NJ, Ryan William Heins and his wife Kaitlin Summa Heins of South Abington Twp, PA, Trevor Jerome Heins and his fiancé Samantha Kaplan of Philadelphia PA. His great grandchildren; Carina Hope Deselich, Eloise Mae Heins, Bennett Kirke Deselich, Charles Barrett Heins, his brother and sister-in-law Steven and Rita Ashfield of Hawaii, and his brother-in-law Charles Randa of Clermont FL.
There will be a funeral service at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Pompton Ave. Pompton Lakes, NJ on Saturday January 23rd @ 11:00 a.m. Afterwards there will be a viewing from approximately 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., at Jerry’s home, which is 30 Park Place, Pompton Lakes, NJ
On behalf of the Ashfield family and for the safety of all concerned, due to the COVID pandemic, the viewing at the Ashfield’s home will be held in an OPEN-AIR area and masks are required at all times. We appreciate your cooperation. Saint Mary’s Church is permitted to have 150 people in Church and we will have live streaming of the Funeral Mass and the Viewing for those who cannot attend. The link for the live stream is: goodnightevents.com and click the youtube live link on the top right.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to: The American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123