Ashland –

James “Jay” E. Tower, Age 87, September 20, 1936 – July 26, 2024.

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Jay, a loving and devoted husband to the late Aloha “Bobbie” Lawn Tower, who passed away in 2021. He was a beloved father, coach, grandfather and great-grandfather.  Jay passed away peacefully after developing complications from a fall he had in June.

Jay was born and raised in Lexington, MA.  When Jay married, they chose to remain in Lexington to raise their two sons, Doug and Brian.  Although Jay spent many of his years in Lexington, he also lived in Newtonville and ultimately Ashland when he found the love of his life and married again.  Jay spent his last days in Auburn and Worcester while dealing with the circumstances from his significant fall.

Jay was a dedicated father, squeezing out as much time as he could coaching youth hockey and his great love, baseball. His amazing barbecue skills were always a treat, particularly his hamburgers (which often times resembled the hockey pucks his sons would shoot around in winter.)

Jay worked for many years at the Belmont Herald as a web offset pressman and also filled in when needed at the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. This contributed to his great love of reading the Boston Globe every day. Jay worked long hours at these jobs, but he always made time so that he could coach his sons, before, during and/or after work.

It should also be noted that Jay had a special relationship with the Hoiseth Family; Rudy, Joan, Bruce, Brian, and Wayne.  He always enjoyed the fond memories he had with them, and we are sure he will take these memories with him into the afterlife.

During Jay’s retirement years, he married again to his “Sugarplum”, Aloha (Bobbie) Lawn Tower. During this time Jay and Bobbie were active in the United Parish of Upton and The First Congregational Church of Holliston. Jay and Bobbie embraced life to the fullest.  They traveled extensively.  Before Bobbie’s passing, they were able to experience their dream trip to the Mediterranean.

Jay had a love of animals, especially cats.  Jay had many cats during his life with Bobbie.  He was so thankful that he was able to continue to live with his girl, Josie, right up until his passing.

Jay is survived by two sons, Douglas Tower and partner Careyann LaRose, of Gloucester, MA, and Brian Tower and his wife, Jennifer Grant Tower of Orono, ME.  He also leaves behind two stepdaughters, Sharon L. Bliss from Auburn MA, and her husband Thomas Bliss of Las Vegas, NV, and Valerie (Lawn) Gallant of Clarksville, TN; many grandchildren, Cameron, Rachel and Christopher Tower, Jeffrey Lyon Bliss and wife, Lauren, Tyler and Jonathan Bliss, Elizabeth Bliss (caregiver for 3 years) and partner, Alex Zins, Naomi Nania and husband, Jonathan, Ryan Gallant and wife, Kelly, Alanah LaRose; as well as two great-grandchildren, Charlie Zins and Evelyn Gallant.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St., Holliston, MA.  A funeral service will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 9:30 am at the First Congregational Church of Holliston, 725 Washington St., Holliston, MA.  Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Josie & Katy’s original home; Metrowest Humane Society, 30 Pond Street, Ashland, MA 01721 in memory of Jay and Bobbie Tower.