Obituary of Ashley Wade Hancock

Hancock, Ashley Wade, 86, of National Park, NJ on September 5, 2005. Mr. Hancock was born in Clearfield, PA on May 5, 1919. He was one of nine children, five of whom attended the Hershey School in Hershey, PA. Mr. Hancock graduated from the Hershey School and soon was drafted into the Army. He rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while serving throughout the Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor. He eventually achieved the rank of Captain in the Army Reserves. On his voyage home from his tour of duty in Australia, he met Edith Hoffman, a young Army nurse who would become his wife in June of l945. They would be married for 48 years until her death in l993. They had two sons, Ashley Wade Hancock, Jr. and William Scott Hancock. Mr. Hancock worked for Mobil Oil Corp. until l968. He was then Vice President and Treasurer of Lakewood Oil Co. in Lakewood, NJ. He became the first purchasing agent for the Township of Lakewood and served as a member of the Industrial Commission of Lakewood for 25 years. Mr. Hancock will always be remembered for his love of story telling. Few who know him will forget the tales of his days at ?the orphanage?, as he lovingly referred to the Hershey School, the place that played a big part in making him the man that he was and a place that he dearly loved. He eventually served as President of Hershey School Alumni Association. He also loved telling his war stories especially the story of how he met his beloved Edie. He is survived by his son, Ashley Wade Hancock, Jr. of National Park, his brother, Brent Hancock and his sister Libby Yeagley, both of Hershey, PA. Relative and Friends may call Saturday after 2 PM in the MCGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ. Memorial Service 3 PM in the Funeral Home. Donations in Mr. Hancock?s memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Lakewood Memorial Fund, 3rd and Clifton Streets, Lakewood, NJ 08701.