Wayne L. Ashley, 74, Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG -- Funeral services for Former Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne L. Ashley will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 2:00PM at Frary Funeral Home with Rev. Joseph Morgan officiating and Deacon Mark Lalonde assisting.

Visitation will be held prior to funeral services from 10:00AM until 2:00PM at Frary Funeral Home.

Wayne passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born January 20, 1950, to Carl M. Ashley and Dorothy (Bell) Ashley in Ogdensburg.

He is survived by the love of his life, Karen; daughter, Colleen Ashley and significant other, Christopher Sharlow, Norfolk, son, Patrick Ashley, Ogdensburg, stepmother, Patricia Moulton, stepchildren Greg Dawley, Stephen Dawley, and Melissa Dawley; grandchildren Jacob Awan, Jaedyn Awan, and Abby Ashley. He was also survived by a Special Uncle Richard “Uncle Dick” Dillenbeck.

Wayne grew up in Ogdensburg, graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1968, and served his country in the Army National Guard where he rose to the rank of Staff Sgt.

He studied business administration at Jefferson Community College and SUNY Canton.

He also served as a dog control officer for many years. He worked part-time for Hackett’s Hardware from 1966 to 2002.

During his career, he completed incident command training, US Coast Guard recreational watercraft enforcement training, fire investigation, police supervision training at the Black River St. Lawrence Valley Police Academy in 1992, crime scene investigation with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice program, and juvenile custody training offered by the state commission on correction.

He was a small business owner, operating A and A Fencing, which specialized in residential fencing.

After his retirement, Ashley was elected to Ogdensburg’s city council in November 2010. He served one term on the council, and then ran - and won - a term as mayor, serving from 2016 to 2019.

Ashley also did volunteer work, serving as co-chair of the Heart-to-Heart program with the late Charles W. Kelly, which provided Christmas presents to needy children across St. Lawrence County.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Carl Ashley, Jr., and lifelong friend, Charles W. Kelly.

Wayne, 74, was best known as a 39-year veteran of the Ogdensburg City Police Department where he served 20 years as a patrolman and 19 years as a road patrol shift sergeant.

As Ogdensburg’s 44th mayor, he was a driving force behind the establishment of the Ogdensburg Land Bank, the start of a fleet management program as recommended by the state’s Financial Review Board and partnering with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency IDA to save and rehabilitate the Newell Building, one of the city’s major industrial buildings overlooking the waterfront, located at 100 Paterson Street.

He also played a key role in Upgrading the city’s sewer system to reduce pollution in the St. Lawrence River, rehabbing “zombie” properties to get them back on the tax rolls and working with State Senator Patricia Ritchie on projects to benefit the community.

On January 22, 2010, Wayne married the love of his life, Karen. They shared 15 years together and Karen took care of him selflessly in the time leading up to his death.

Wayne can be remembered for his dislike for any turmoil, he always said, “I just want everyone to get along.” He was the pillar of the family.

The love and support he provided for his family and friends was immeasurable. Wayne made it a priority to talk to his children and grandchildren nightly, and if they missed the call, he would be sure to leave a voice mail and would say “when you get a chance, give me a jingle”. His family, friends and license plate were his prized possessions.

Wayne’s sense of humor and natural ability to carry on a conversation with anyone, made him personable and memorable.

Wayne’s favorite team was the New York Yankees, he enjoyed watching western, going to the casino, campfires and listening to music.

He would spend any leisure time at his camp on Black Lake, he was an avid fisherman and hunter, with deer and duck season being his favorite. He was a Waterfowl USA member and the son of a well-known decoy carver.

He never expected praise for his generosity or good deeds, he was a true servant to his family, friends, and community.

Since Wayne’s passing, his family has been comforted by the countless community members who have reached out to share stories about Wayne. Many of these stories have a common ending, he gave them a second chance and enriched their lives.

“On behalf of the City of Ogdensburg, I extend our condolences to Mayor Ashley’s family at this time of loss. May he rest in peace,” Tooley said.

Longtime friend, St. Lawrence County Legislator, and retired Ogdensburg Journal newspaper editor James E. Reagen said “Wayne represented what was best in a public servant. For 39 years, he put his life on the line patrolling the streets of the community he loved, protecting the families of Ogdensburg. As mayor, he provided commonsense leadership and stability, fighting for what was best in our community”.

“Anyone who knew Wayne is aware that he was a legend in the law enforcement world, raising and teaching several generations of police officers. Our thoughts are with Sgt. Ashley’s Family, friends, and police family,” read a Facebook post from the Ogdensburg Police Department.

A burial and celebration of life will be held later in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a scholarship fund in the memory of Sergeant Wayne L. Ashley at St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union.

Online condolences may be made at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.