Richard K. Ashley

Richard K. Ashley, a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, departed from his earthly life May 7, 2026, after a battle with cancer. Richard recently moved to Viroqua, WI, though had been visiting family in the area for the past 30 years.  

Richard was born in Massena, NY on September 22, 1939, the second of seven children of the late Kenneth and Emma Ashley. He spent his formative years in the small town of Chase Mills on the banks of the Grass River and had many great stories growing up with his siblings in rural upstate New York. After graduating from Madrid Waddington High School in 1957, Richard worked in various positions during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a job for which he was always very proud. He married Gloria Lawrence in 1960, and they moved to Albany, NY, where he earned his bachelor’s in accounting at SUNY Albany in 1965.  He started his formal career working as an accountant with KPMG in Albany and thereafter as an Accountant/Treasurer with Cummins Diesel in Albany, NY.  In the late 60s, they moved to Clifton Park, NY to raise their two children, Lisa and Sara. While their marriage eventually ended, Richard and Gloria remained amicable.  

In the early 1980s, Richard began his own software development business Pro-Data,Inc. where he focused on writing software applications for the home health care field. He married Alice Long in 1985, and they lived in a variety of places, including a memorable five years in Cape Cod, MA. In 2000, they moved to Sunderland, VT, where Richard became a real estate broker and established Equinox Valley Real Estate. Upon his retirement in 2010, Richard’s strong desire to travel the country led Richard and Alice to move to San Tan Valley, AZ from where they enjoyed many exciting years traveling in their RV to visit family, friends, and national parks throughout the country. Richard and Alice especially enjoyed golfing during their travels. Richard and Alice moved to Viroqua in 2025 to be closer to family.  

Richard is survived by his wife, Alice Long Ashley; his daughters Lisa Ashley of LaFarge, WI, and Sara Watterson (Nick) of Davis, CA; stepson William Long of White Sulphur Springs, MT; grandchildren Kathryn Ashley-Wright (Keith) and Ben Ashley-Kappler of LaFarge, WI, and June and Reese Watterson of Davis, CA; and great grandchildren Stella, Mae, Olan and Celia Ashley-Wright. His surviving siblings include Kenneth Ashley (Tammy) of Waddington, NY, Jack Ashley (Pam) of Melbourne, FL, Joan DeRusha of Sarasota, FL, and Sue Ashley of Waddington, NY. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Emma Ashley, two sisters, Shirley Fogarty and Pat Garnet, three nephews, Patrick Fogarty, Billy DeRusha, and Michael Ashley, and son-in-law, Bill Kappler.  

At Richard’s request there will be no funeral service, and his family hopes to gather in Massena, NY this summer for a memorial.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Richard’s memory to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Richard loved sitting on his back deck at the end of the day, enjoying a cocktail and appetizers, and this would also be a perfect way to toast to his memory.  

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.