BUCKSPORT – James “Sonny” Newton Ashmore Jr., 76, died peacefully at his home June 1, 2013. Jim was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Ellsworth, the oldest of five children, to James N. Ashmore Sr. and Florence T. Filliettaz.
He was married to Venora Leach Oct. 6, 1956, and raised six children. Jim was a construction superintendent who built McDonalds franchises and oversaw the construction of the Bangor Mall. After retirement, he became heavily involved with Home Co-op, Orland, where he was the chairman of the board. During those years, he worked tirelessly devoting his time, knowledge, skills and wisdom to all who wanted or needed it. He was intelligent, free-spirited, and complex, but also a man who was passionate about and relished a simple way of life, an avid outdoorsman who spent his free time hunting, fishing and camping. Jim was an adventurous man who traveled throughout the United States but always called Maine his home.
He is survived by his former wife, Venora Cote; sisters, Donna Hardy and Martha Jenkins; children, Deborah Moore of Alaska, James N. Ashmore III and Laney, Karen Bowden and Terry, and Bruce Ashmore, all of Bucksport, Kevin Ashmore of Hampden and Cheryl Ashmore and Jan Ordway of Castine; grandchildren, Brooke, Danielle, Erin, Sarah, Jesse, Dylan, Dennis, Allison, Amber, Jerome, Felicia, Adam, Hannah and Syrus; great-grandchildren, Morgan, Brieann, Grady, Jack and Alixandra; and friend, Loretta and her son. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Florence; brothers, Albert and Michael; and great-grandson, Rogan-Lee.
Visitation hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 10, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, Bucksport. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Bucksport, with an interment immediately after at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Ellsworth. www.mitchelltweedie-young.com.
James ‘Sonny’ Newton Ashmore Jr.
