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Fred Ashton

1931 – 2013

American politician

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About Fred Ashton

Lived 1931 – 2013 (aged 82). Fred Ashton was an American politician.

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.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Lafayette College, Easton Area High School, Temple University

People in Fred Ashton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Fred Ashton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Fred Ashton?

American politician

When was Fred Ashton born?

Fred Ashton was born on 7 March 1931 in Easton.

When did Fred Ashton die?

Fred Ashton died on 9 May 2013 in Seaside Heights.

What was Fred Ashton's occupation?

Fred Ashton was a politician.

What nationality was Fred Ashton?

Fred Ashton was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Fred Ashton

· Wikidata: Q15989544

· DBpedia: Fred Ashton

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Fred Ashton. https://biography.guide/fred-ashton/

MLA: "Fred Ashton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/fred-ashton/.

Chicago: "Fred Ashton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/fred-ashton/.

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