Flanders, NJ    Mr. Lawrence H. Ashley, Sr. (90) passed away Dec. 24^th, at St Clare’s Hospital in Dover  He was born Aug 4, 1922 in Flanders, where he lived his entire life, with the exception of time spent in Europe during WW II.  He was employed at Picatinny Arsenal prior to serving in the army infantry from 1944 – 1946.  After the army he worked for Leonard Freund as a mechanic, and GG Stroud as a bulldozer operator.  He founded Ashley’s Auto Body in 1952.  He was an active member of the Roxbury Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellowship member, and involved in the restoration of the Kings Canal Store and the Morris Canal incline plane #2 in Ledgewood.  In 2012 he was named an honorary member of the Roxbury Historic Trust.  He was an active member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America and the New Jersey Association of Corvair Enthusiasts.  An avid car fan, he restored a number of antique vehicles, and participated in numerous shows, parades and tours.  He was an innovative thinker and enjoyed coming up with solutions to unusual problems.

 He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lillian (nee Kopacka), his daughter Lynn of Flanders and his son Larry Jr. and wife Donna of Succasunna, his nephew Larry E. Ashley of Andover and niece Janis Gutermuth of Flanders, as well as many great nieces and nephews. 

 Friends may visit at the Davis and Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main St., Succasunna (973-584-7264) davishepplewhitefh.com on Friday from 3 – 5 & 7 – 9 pm and on Saturday from 10-11 am. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 11 am, at the Funeral Home, with a family reception to follow at the Flanders Fire House. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the American Cancer Society.