Honour procession held in memory of Wayne Ashton 

By Rosalind Russell – Dozens of bystanders and well over 100 people representing several agencies took part in a procession in honour of the late Wayne Ashton of Espanola. 

The full contingent of the Espanola Volunteer Firefighters was joined by several other fire departments from throughout the region, paramedics and other emergency staff from Manitoulin Island and the North Shore Corridor and local leaders to honour the memory of one of Canada’s longest serving firefighters. 

Manitoulin OPP led the way for a flag honour guard from the Sudbury Fire Department, and a piper that also took part in the solemn occasion held yesterday morning.  

Ashton had served as a local firefighter for 50 years retiring as Assistant Chief in 2023.  

The procession began at the fire hall and made its way to the Espanola Royal Canadian Legion where a Celebration of Life followed. 

Ashton was 77.  

Photo: An Honour procession marking the passing of Wayne Ashton and acknowledging his decades of service as a volunteer firefighter and committed member of the wider community was held yesterday, Thursday, January 25^th. Photos by Rosalind Russell