Michael Ashworth, Radar Technician, RN / RCN

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

Michael Ashworth

Radar Technician, RN / RCN

Born: 21 Nov 1926, Treeton, South Yorkshire, England

Died: 31 Dec 1922, Exeter, Englad

ASHWORTH, Michael - Sadly passed away on New Years Eve, 31 December 1992 at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, leaving his wife Joan and daughters Sally and Jill. Michael was born in Treeton, a small village just outside Rotherham in South Yorkshire on 21 November 1926, the son of Percy and Elsie Ashworth and older brother of Mary. Michael was an outgoing lad, he enjoyed sport and was a keen hockey player. He also enjoyed music, especially playing the piano and tenor saxophone eventually joining a jazz dance band as a saxophonist. He joined the Royal Navy before transferring to the Canadian Navy. He was skilled in electronics and RADAR and was enrolled with the intention of passing on his knowledge and expertise. He sailed to Canada in 1945 and served on HMCS Warrior before returning to England in 1947. On his return, he trained to be a teacher and lectured in Building and Construction. He worked at Rotherham Technical College before moving to Shirecliffe College in Sheffield. In 1970 he took promotion and moved to Exeter Technical College where he was Head of the School of Building. He worked there until his retirement in the mid 1980’s. Michael married Joan in the summer of 1950, and was a loving husband and devoted father to his daughters, Sally born in 1955 and Jill born in 1958. He encouraged his daughters in all areas of their lives and supported them both fully with their interests, especially in horse riding buying them both their own ponies. Michael and Joan were extremely proud grandparents to Sally’s three children, Thomas, Abigail and Frederick, and played a pivitol roll in their upbringing. Thomas lives and works in Somerset and Abigail lives in Devon with her husband and 4 daughters. Freddy had a chance to move abroad with his job in the summer of 2014, without knowing the history of his grandfather’s career, he chose to move to Calgary. Having settled there with work, he gained residency in 2018 and is starting his own business, something his grandparents would be extremely proud of. Michael unfortunately suffered a couple of heart attacks, and although only in his early 60’s, this had a detrimental effect on many of his interests and hobbies. He and Joan were lucky enough to travel to America in 1992 and also managed to visit the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls. Michael spent time in hospital whilst abroad but did get to fly home on Concorde! Once home, he spent time over the Christmas period in hospital and passed away peacefully on New Years Eve. Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts!

Ships served in:

HMCS WARRIOR