(Corner Brook, N.L.) With much sadness we announce that Dr. John Ashton died quietly at home with his family by his side on Saturday, September 20, 2008. He will be loved as long as we live. His wife, Sheila, his son Darby, his parents John and Dorothy Ashton, his siblings: Chris (Elaine), Ray (Susan), Terry (Angela), Kathleen (Jamal), Philip (Leslie), Maria (Tim), Martin (Siobhan) and his siblings-in-law: Richard (Nancy), Kevin (Lorrie), Frank (Lil), Barry (Heather), Dean, Colleen (Barry), Anne (Glen), Chris (Kim) and Jason (Andrea), and father-in-law Allan (Margaret) Saunders. He will be missed by a loving circle of nieces and nephews, other relatives and numerous friends across Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. John was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England on October 7, 1952. He came to study at Memorial University in 1975 and chose to make Newfoundland his home. John was not only a pivotal figure in the evolution of Grenfell College towards maturity, but an internationally recognized prize-winning scholar in his chosen field of Folklore. Visitation will take place at Fillatre's Funeral Home, 4 St. Mark's Avenue on Monday and Tuesday from the hours of 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24th at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer. Reception to follow at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College at 1:45 p.m. in the Atrium of the Fine Arts Building. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to donate to the John Ashton Scholarship to be established shortly at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. Donations can be pledged at Filatre's Funeral Home or through the office of the principal at 637-6231. The family guest book may be signed or a memorial donation may be made through the website at www.fillatre.ca