Thomas A. Ashley of Belmont died Sept. 25 at Caritas St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Brighton. He was 79.

Born in Newton, he was the son of Thomas and Mary Kelley Ashley. He was a lifelong resident of Belmont. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a retired salesman, having worked in a lamp and shade company in Belmont. He had a special interest in birds, photography, metal detecting and reading.

Survivors include Elizabeth A. Gardner of Concord and Priscilla Jackson of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; eight loving nieces and nephews; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service is planned for late October.