Scott Francis Ashley of North Truro died after a long illness on May 28, 2023. He was 86.
His partner of over 60 years, Samuel Adams, died eight days later.
“They could not be without one another,” Scott’s nephew Lawrence Ashley said. “They shared a love not known by many.”
Born on Jan. 10, 1937 in Framingham, Scott was the son of the late Howard and Katherine Ashley. He grew up in Natick and graduated from Natick High School in 1955, then briefly went to Catholic seminary before going to work as a maître d’ at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston. “He was always dressed to a T,” Lawrence recalled.
Scott served on the board of the Symphony Area Renaissance Trust; he was also a member of the Symphony United Neighbors and the student and community liaison for Northeastern University.
Scott could often be seen in the neighborhood walking his bulldogs, Margot, Cricket, and Yoda, and his Shar-pei, China.
After Scott retired, he and Sam operated the Millstone vacation home in North Truro. With eclectic taste and an eye for design, Scott was happiest when he was moving walls and rooms but not so much when putting them back together. When he did, however, the rooms were often works of art.
Scott could often be found landscaping with stone, naturally aged wood, grasses, and other plantings, bringing viewers to a new sight as each corner was turned and path taken. Among his works was a 9/11 memorial, numerous millstones turned into turtles, statues of Buddha, and garden walls made of glass balls. He never threw anything away.
Scott was proud of his family heritage, tracing his roots to the Mayflower Pilgrims. He would bristle and evoke those roots whenever he was charged with being a “washashore.”
He “was a character like no other,” wrote his friend Theresa Moran. “He always had a story to tell, an opinion to share, and made me laugh every single time I saw him.” His stories, Lawrence suggested, were hard to verify.
Recently, however, a picture of Scott with President Bill Clinton and one with Vice President Al Gore were found, suggesting that his stories may not have always been embellished.
Scott’s many nieces and nephews thought he and Sam were the “cool uncles.” They remain grateful for the times he would listen to them when they were troubled. Scott provided advice, guidance, love, and maybe a little wine.
Scott is survived by his sister, Naomi Paquette of Punta Gorda, Fla., his nieces and nephews, and his many friends.
In addition to his partner, Scott was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and Howard Ashley, and sister, Judith Ashley. The family is grateful for the many years of help provided to Scott by John Dundas.
A celebration of Scott’s and Sam’s lives will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at St. Mary of the Harbor, Provincetown. In lieu of flowers, donations in Scott’s memory may be made to the Truro Historical Society.
To express condolences to the family, visit the online guestbook at nickersonfhwellfleet.com.
