Thomas Allen Ashwell

Thomas Ashwell Live Stream Service

March 25, 2022 at 10:45 AM

Thomas Allen Ashwell, 91 of Mason, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2022, with his family by his side. Born to Allen and Mary (nee McAlpine) Catherine Ashwell on March 31, 1930, in London Ontario. Preceded by his parents, Allan and Mary Ashwell, his beloved wife, Jill (nee Turnbull) Ashwell and sister, Ann Halfyard.

Tom is survived by his four loving children, Michael (Laurie) Ashwell, Robert (Kim) Ashwell, Kelly (Brian) Lawhorn and Wendy (Rick) Ruehlmann, eleven grandchildren, Emily, Evan, and Katie Ashwell, Christopher, Ivy and Nicholas Ashwell, Brianna (Kyle) Shaner, Ashley (Mark) Warner, Corie (Robbie) Nguyen, and Grayson and Riley Ruehlmann and three great-grandchildren, Reagan, Reid and Remy Shaner.

As a young man, Tom followed in his mothers’ footsteps and developed a keen interest in theatre and media. This passion would ultimately lead to a lengthy career in film and television in London, Ontario; Pittsburgh, PA; and ultimately Cincinnati, OH, where the family made their permanent residence. In Cincinnati, Tom worked for WLWT, Avco Broadcasting and Wing Media. In retirement, he worked well into his 80’s on many free-lance assignments, including stints writing and producing documentaries for the Greatest Living Cincinnatians. Over his career, he earned several local Emmys for his various TV scripts and production work. He also appeared in the cult-horror classic Night of the Living Dead and had the chance to work with many noteworthy personalities including Dr. Spock, Walter Cronkite, Neil Armstrong, The Von Trapp singers, Mr Rogers and the Beverly Hillbillies. Tom’s early love was horsemanship, and he proudly competed in equestrian shows and cross country jumping events earning many awards and even attaining a place on the powerhouse Canadian National Team. A Canadian patriot, Tom also served in Canada’s Royal Military Reserves as part of the First Hussars Armoured Regiment.

Everything changed the day he met his one true love, Jill Turnbull Ashwell. Together they travelled the world, and raised a family in a culture that honored faith, family, history, theatre, travel, and fantastic cooking! This legacy lives on and thrives in their children and grandchildren. In his later years, Tom was a regular attendee at St. Susanna Catholic Church and the Mason, OH Senior Center. On occasion, he had been known to help arrange outings for a group of senior St. Susanna friends to Cincinnati Reds games. He also loved adventure, and enjoyed trips to Europe, Asia, N. America, S. America and Australia/New Zealand. He even managed to climb his way up a mountain to tour Machu Pichu “the right way” in his early 80s.

Tom always found unimaginable joy in sharing his passions & stories with his kids and grandkids. He held dear his trips to indie movies, Terry’s Turf Club, Stratford (Ontario), the outer banks NC, Florida, Michigan, Gatlinburg TN, Europe, and even Costa Rica. “Papa” was truly a force to be joined - not reckoned with – and when he wore his silk ascots, you knew you were in for a treat.

Please join us for a celebratory visitation on Friday, March 25 ^th from 10:00AM-11:00AM with a funeral service at 11:00AM all at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040. Inurnment to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Thomas’ name to St Susanna Catholic Church in Mason:

https://stsusanna.org/giving-options

or the Stratford Theater Festival in Stratford Canada:

https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/SupportUs

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to service the Ashwell Family. 513-398-9100