Fred Ashton

Fred L. Ashton, Jr. (March 7, 1931 – May 9, 2013) was an American politician who served as the mayor of Easton, Pennsylvania, from 1968 Ashton also served as the first strong mayor of Easton, beginning with his inauguration for a second term in 1972. He was a member of the Republican Party. He graduated from Easton Area High School in 1948. displacing a large number of businesses operated by the Lebanese American and Syrian American communities. Numerous historic buildings, including older colonial and pre-revolutionary structures were demolished and replaced by a fast food restaurant, movie theater, hotel, and gas station, which were constructed on the site. Years later, during a 1987 mayoral election campaign, Ashton defended his decision to tear down the historic buildings, arguing that the neighborhood had been blighted and, in his opinion, could not have been restored.

Ashton lost his bid for a third term in November 1975 and left office in January 1976. He was succeeded by Mayor Henry J. Schultz. He ran again for mayor in 1983, but lost that election. (Incumbent Republican Mayor Phil Mitman won re-election). Ashton announced his candidacy for mayor again in 1987, but dropped out of the race due to a conflict with his business schedule. In total, Fred Ashton ran for mayor during five different elections: 1967, 1971, 1975, 1985, and 1988.

Ashton lived in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, after leaving local politics. He and his wife were licensed brokers at Crossroads Realty in Lavallette, New Jersey, before his retirement.

Death Ashton lived with his sister after Hurricane Sandy damaged his Seaside Heights home in October 2012. Ashton died at his sister's residence, in the Easton, Pennsylvania area, on May 9, 2013, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Shirley Adams; five children, and fourteen grandchildren. Ashton was buried in Easton Cemetery in Easton.