We are unbearably sad to announce the passing, on November 6th, 2022, of Ashton Chandler MacDougall Ballou, aged 53, at his home in Fairfield, CT. Ashton was the calm and humorous force in any storm, an unfailingly kind, easygoing, and generous man. He was a lifelong sailor and outdoorsman who shared his love of nature and joie de vivre with his wife of 25 years, Laura Williams Ballou. He imparted his love of the water, family, reggae, 90s hip-hop, and James Bond movies to his and Laura's beloved sons Liam and Tucker. He loved his golden retrievers: the late lamented Marley, and the irrepressible Skyler. Ashton adored skiing, he loved tinkering and fixing things; he excelled at manning the BBQ and hosting parties. He was never happier than out on a boat with his family, driving down the beach at Nantucket, or running a regatta at the Pequot Yacht Club, of which he was a former longtime member. He suffered fools not gladly but with great patience and discretion—if you were a bad sailor, or a bad guest, he was unfailingly polite, but you might not get invited to the next regatta or party. He walked into a room and put everyone immediately at ease. There was nobody he couldn't talk to, and people were drawn to his energetic and joyful personality—one of his friends and mentors recalled his "warmth, caring, and glass more than three-quarters full." Ashton grew up in Andover, MA, went to Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, and graduated from Lake Forest College. He had a long career in finance, starting at Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co. and then working for seventeen years at Lazard Frères & Co. He leaves behind his wife and sons, his mother Anne MacDougall Einstein and her husband Milton Adams, his father Paul Ballou, his stepsister Susanna Einstein and her family, and a large extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends from every walk of life. Please join us in celebrating Ashton's life at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church on Friday January 6 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations in honor of Ashton be made to the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church or to The American Kidney Fund. Thank you.