Jethro O. Ashley, Jr., age 97, of Middleborough, died peacefully on Saturday evening, May 30, 2026, at the Hannah B.G. Shaw Home in Middleborough.

Born in Acushnet, he was the son of the late Jennie E. (Bennett) & Jethro O. Ashley, Sr.  He grew up in Acushnet and graduated from New Bedford High School, Class of 1947.  Jethro attended Boston University, majoring in Business Administration, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree. He later graduated from the New England Institute of Mortuary Science in Boston, Class of 1952.  Following college, he served for two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean Conflict.

Jethro began his professional career at Chace Chevrolet in Middleborough before establishing the Ashley Funeral Home on Oak Street, Middleborough in 1970.  As a dedicated Funeral Director, he served families with compassion for 48 years until his retirement in 2018.  Jethro was a longtime member of the Middleboro Rotary Club, for over 70 years, he was a Mason with the May Flower Lodge A.F.& A.M. in Middleborough, and a lifetime member of the Middleboro Elks, where he served as treasurer for years.  Jethro was also active with the South Middleboro Grange.  He also served as a trustee for several local institutions, including the Middleborough Trust Company and the Montgomery Home, contributing his professional insights to the community.  Jethro received multiple community awards for his efforts.

Jethro was the beloved husband of the late Ann (Bradford) Ashley for 52 years; loving father of Lisa Cantalupo & her husband Todd of Middleborough, and Lori Ashley of Middleborough; adoring grandfather of Joseph Carnabuci and the late Valeri Azevedo; and step-grandfather of Mackenzie, John, and Jordan Cantalupo.

Family and friends are cordially invited to the visiting hours at the Ashley~Drolette Funeral Home, 35 Oak Street, Middleborough, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 3:00-7:00 PM.

All are welcome to Jethro's funeral service at the Central Congregational Church, 2 Webster Street, Middleborough, on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

Interment services will follow in the Nemasket Hill Cemetery, 515 Plymouth Street, Middleborough.

Contributions in Jethro's memory may be made to the Middleborough Animal Shelter, 50 Joe Ciaglo Way, Middleborough, MA 02346.

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