Eugene (Gene) A. Ash, Jr.

Eugene (Gene) A. Ash, Jr. died on April 22 in West Chester. 

Gene was born in 1946 in Beverly, Mass. to parents Eugene A. Ash Sr. and Marjory (MacNeill) Ash. He spent most of his life in Massachusetts, where he met and married his beloved wife, Susan Ash. Gene and Sue were married for 53 years, raising a family of five children, and providing a safe home to numerous foster children over the years. 

Gene and Sue lived in Sandwich, Mass. on Cape Cod for 35 years until they retired to Florida to be close to his mother-in-law, Wilma, and his sister-in-law, Lois Foster, before most recently moving to Pennsylvania to be closer to their children and grandchildren. 

Gene received his bachelor’s degree from Salem State University in 1968 and began teaching at Sandwich High School in the fall of 1968. Gene also received his master’s degree from Suffolk University in 1980. He taught business classes and drivers’ education for 35 years in Sandwich. He enjoyed watching sports and supported all the high school athletic teams as a member of the faculty.  

Gene is survived by his sister-in-law, Lois Foster, his son David (and his wife Alelihna), his daughter Cassandra (and her husband Tim), his son Daniel (and his wife Alexandra), his daughter Lisa (and her husband Steve), his daughter Gena,  and 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

Gene loved his family dearly and they loved him. He enjoyed watching them play hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer and baseball, and supported all of their interests in every way. 

There are no public services planned at this time. There will be a private family ceremony and celebration of Gene’s life. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Goodwill Keystone Area Foundation, 1150 Goodwill Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17101 on his behalf.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

George L. Anderson

George L. Anderson, of West Grove, passed away on May 10, 2022 at the age 86 after a sudden three-week decline. George was the husband of Barbara Massey Anderson, who passed in 2007, a few months after they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

George was born in West Chester, the son of the late Lawrence Anderson and Frances Anderson Crossan. At age 6, he joined his older twin brothers at Girard College, a boarding school for fatherless boys in Philadelphia, where he received his early education. He graduated in 1953, and then he attended Goldey-Beacom College, where he earned a degree in business. In 1956, George went to work as an accountant at the DuPont Company in downtown Wilmington, Del. He retired from the company after 36 years.  He then worked locally for the U S Post Office for a while, followed by several years of driving a school van for the DuVall Bus Company.  George fully retired when he was in his mid-70s.

He loved to travel with his wife and play pinochle and dominoes. He read the newspaper daily, every word, from front to back. He was always up for a quick (or sometimes not so quick) trip to a casino, with Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut being his favorite. The Phillies and Eagles have lost an avid fan with his passing.

George always lived in and loved the town of West Grove. He was a borough councilman for 12 years in the 1970s and 1980s.  The family attended the West Grove Methodist Church where George served on various committees, but his true dedication and commitment was with the West Grove Volunteer Fire Company.  He joined the fire company at age 17. He was an active firefighter and answered hundreds of ambulance calls with wife Barbara. George served as president in 1974, 1975, and 1985, as a vice president in 1981 and was the secretary from 1969 to 1973.  He was the department treasurer a total of 20 years in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. His last service until just a few years ago was a daily visit to the station to drop off and sort the mail.  He enjoyed every day of his fire company life. 

George is survived by son Donald Anderson and Fred Phillips of Paradise Pa., daughter Donna Shaub and husband Tim of West Grove, and daughter Sharon Camp and husband Trent of Hockessin, Del. 

He was very proud of and enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, Jessica Shaub Jones, Rebecca and Phil Miranda, Lauren and Bryce Gates, Anderson and Annabelle Camp, and the great-grandchildren who made him very happy, Owen Massey Jones, Sloane Miranda and newborn Paige Miranda, who he did not get to meet in person, but saw her in lots of pictures.  A great-grandson, Baby Boy Gates, is due to arrive in July.

He is also survived by his twin sister Judy Peters, who lives in St. Augustine FL; a brother, Robert (and wife Carol) of The Woodlands, TX, and sister-in-law, Ruth Anderson of Kennett Square.  

George was “Uncle George” to three generations of nieces and nephews.

In addition to Barbara and his parents, George was predeceased by father and mother-in-law, Sumner and Dorothy Massey; his brother, John, on May 10, 2021; a great-grandson, Finn Miranda, and his “other son” Peter Grossweiler.

A memorial service was held at Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove on May 17. 

Memorial donations can be made to West Grove Fire Company at P.O. Box 201, West Grove PA, 19390.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family,  please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

THOMAS W. NIELDS

Thomas W. Nields, of Wilmington Del., passed awaon May 10, 2022, at his residence. He was 65.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Walter Nields and the late Elizabeth Vogel Nields.

He was a retired dump truck driver. He last worked for Technivate in Avondale.

Thomas enjoyed landscaping, driving his dump truck, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one daughter, Mallory J. Nields of Oxford; one brother, Edward O. Nields of Downingtown; one sister, Susan R. Hoopes pf Lancaster, SC;  three grandchildren, and four nieces and two nephews.

He was predeceased by one sister, Joyce A. Kent.

His service will be held at a later date.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Elizabeth Austin

Mother Elizabeth Austin, who was affectionately known as Liz, was born on Sept. 12, 1940 in Zanesville, OH.  She departed this life at the Twin Pines Nursing Home on May 4, 2022. 

Mother Austin was the eldest of five children.  She grew up and attended school in Kennett Square.   Her employment included the Kennett Cannery, Kennetex, Inc., Norcross Greeting Cards, and Mars Electronics. She earned her certification as a nursing assistant and worked at Pocopson Homes, Chatham Acres, Pembrook Nursing Home, Bayada Nursing and private duty. 

The ministry of Jesus Christ was Mother Austin’s main purpose and desire. She was a former member of the House of Jacob and later she went on to become a member of Apostolic Fellowship Worship in Oxford under the leadership of the late Bishop Webby Barrett.  She moved her membership to Word of Life Apostolic Church under the late Bishop Rayford Moulden, Jr.  It was at Word of Life that she was honored and became the Mother of the church.  She also served as a member of the Mother’s Board for Greater Light to the World Ministries, Inc.  Prior to these honorable positions, Mother Austin served as the President of Pastor’s Aide, was awarded the Woman of the Year Award, and penned her own song in 2013 titled, “Oh Lord Have Mercy.”  She also had a favorite poem, “The Cross in My Pocket” by Verna Mae Thomas. 

Mother Austin loved the Lord and she would let everyone know no matter where she was.   She would minister in the store, on the street, in the McDonald’s drive-thru, show up at your home unannounced day or night to pray or to share with you whatever the Lord had given unto her to say.  

Some of her favorite pastimes included crossword puzzles and playing computer and video games. She watched wrestling, and she would be bobbing and weaving as if she was in the ring. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, cooking, baking, eating sweets, visiting people, and she loved being on the road. She always had snacks in her car and would say that they helped her stay awake.  She liked going to the amusement parks and playing Skee-Ball and frying chicken to take on trips and for church services. 

Mother Austin knew how to command attention, whether it was in the church or with her family or among friends.   She was strict, but, loving and kind and compassionate.

She had an immense love for many, but she had an overwhelming love for her nieces who loved her and cared for her throughout the years just as she had done for them when they were young.  She adopted and loved the Bowman family as her own.  Spending many years with them as they grew up.  She also showed her motherly love for her honorable son in the Lord, Mr. Emmett Cooper.

 

Mother Austin was predeceased by her parents; Advanced Presiding Elder Job Garfield Austin Sr. and Senior Mother Anna Rebecca Austin; her sisters, Mary L. Bryant, Susanna “Sue” Austin; her brother, Job G. Austin, and grandchildren, Lloyd Bingham, III and Ida Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Lloyd Bingham, Jr. (Jemma), Angela Holbrook (Rena), and an honorable son in the Lord, Emmett Cooper, as well as her eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, her sister, Mother Sarah Adams (Elder William Adams) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Mother Austin’s anointed spiritual presence, wit and attitude will truly be missed.

Her funeral service was held on May 14 at Grace and Mercy Apostolic Inc. in Avondale.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Grace and Mercy Apostolic Inc., 220 Chatham Street in Avondale.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Dominic Peter Nunziato D’Orazio, Jr. 

Dominic Peter Nunziato D’Orazio, Jr. passed away quietly in his home at Kennedy House Condominium in Philadelphia on May 11, 2022. He was 90 years old. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominic and Filomena  (Valentino) D’Orazio, and siblings, Nicholas D’Orazio, Antonietta Mastrippolito, and Angelo D’Orazio. 

He is survived by his many nieces, nephews as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews. Dominic, also known as Don, was loved by many close friends and companions at Kennedy House including Robert Devany, Sally Devany, Angelo Caserta, Kevin O’Brien, Dan DiGiorgio and John Edwards, to name a few.

Dominic was born in Kennett Square, where he graduated from Kennett High School, class of 1949. He studied business at Goldey-Beacom College and worked at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlantic City. He settled in Philadelphia and began his career at First Pennsylvania Bank as a teller and retired as a vice president in 1994. 

Don was an active volunteer and a fixture at MANNA since 1994. He began volunteering after retiring and started in MANNA’s Distribution Department packaging client meals - ensuring that MANNA clients battling serious illness received the nutrition they needed. He was a part of the secret sauce and love that comes out of the MANNA kitchen. He always arrived with a smile and enthusiasm that drew others to him – he made friends with the staff and volunteers alike. Dom loved to run the MANNA turnout line, but was just as happy stuffing envelopes or sweeping the floor. He actively supported and championed MANNA special events and was a generous donor to the organization. Dom has given so much and he never wanted any fuss. He focused instead on helping others and honoring friends he had lost in the early years of HIV/AIDS. He will be greatly missed by his MANNA family. 

Dominic loved art and travel, and his trips included countries in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. He was quick to acknowledge how fortunate he was to experience life in many cultures. He vacationed in Italy and in Cape May, New Jersey with family and spent winters with friends in Florida. Dominic loved his family and, over the years, he took it upon himself to plan and host numerous reunions and gatherings. He took great interest in the younger generations, sharing wisdom and knowledge in his own unique way that was always subtle and supportive. In this way he cemented his kind and generous character and zeal for life to at least three generations of D'Orazio descendants. Dominic was handsome, charming, quick-witted and loved to laugh. He was the life of any gathering and he will be sorely missed by his many friends and family. 

Services and a mass of Christian burial took place on May 17. There was also a Celebration of Life luncheon at Portobello's of Kennett Square 

The arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Please visit Dominic’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

David M. Poff

David M. Poff passed away on May 11, 2022 after a brief illness. He is the son of Virginia (Hammond) Poff and the late Harvey M. Poff.  He is survived by sister, Vicki (Ed) Holbrook, nephew Brian (Chelsea) and Makenzie Holbrook, and niece Amy H. Grasty (Tom Weaver) and Caydin and Camden.  He is also survived by stepsons Adam (Jamie) and Eric (Kristy) Weaver and grandchildren Tyler, Peyton, Breanna, AJ, Eveny, David, and Alexi.

David was an electrician by trade. He enjoyed the outdoors – fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling, as well as football and baseball.  He has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 13, Union Fire Co. No. 1 where he was a member of the dive team, Oklokonee Tribe #212 of Improved Order of Redmen, including their Hiawatha youth program, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles – all of Oxford.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at the Redmen’s Hall on Brick Street in Oxford.  Visitation with the family will begin at 1 p.m.

William E. Swayne, Jr.

William E. Swayne, Jr., 82, of West Grove, passed away on May 11, 2022 at Newport Meadows in Christiana, Pa.

Born in  West Grove, he was the son of the late William E. Swayne, Sr. and the late Jean Dempsey Swayne.

William was a maintenance man at the Kennett High School for nine years, retiring in 2001.

He enjoyed watching TV, especially old cartoons and old series like the M*A*S*H television series . reading his Bible and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one daughter, Kimberly Alice Swayne of West Palm Beach, FL; two brothers, Joseph R. Swayne, Sr. of Wilmington, Del. andThomas W. Swayne of Newark, Del., and one sister, Deborah J. Reinike of Holtwood, Pa.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 2022 at the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove, 200 Rose Hill Road in West Grove. His Funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Brandywine River Valley Home Health & Hospice, 125 Bell Tower Lane, Suite B, Oxford, PA 19363.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.