Shawn Roland Ashby

Shawn Roland Ashby also known as Shawn Du, the son of Roland and Cicely Ashby was born on April 30, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. Shawn’s huge personality captivated many and filled the home with many friends. Throughout his childhood Shawn played games known to Brooklynites such as handball, skelly and marbles. As an adolescent he participated in the athletic sports basketball, baseball and boxing. Later on in life he found a passion for NASCAR and he spent his free time traveling and supporting his favorite NASCAR driver #48, Jimmy Johnson. Shawn left Brooklyn at the age of 17 to attend New Paltz College where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a minor in psychology. In 1985 he married his college sweetheart Brendalee and they first settled in Highland, NY and then Poughkeepsie, NY where they raised their three children together. After graduation he worked for the New York State Division for Youth. From there he worked for the Group Home for the Division for Youth. He left there and worked for Harlem Valley Juvenile Detention Center and from there he worked as a Correction Counselor at Greenhaven Correctional Facility for 31 years. He also ministered to the youth at St. Cabrini for 13 years. Shawn always said that as he worked with the NYS Division for Youth as well as Greenhaven and ministered the youth at St. Cabrini, that he counseled the sons, the fathers and even the grandfathers of those institutionalized. After many years of dedicated service Shawn decided that he would retire in 2017 at the age of 55. Before his retirement Shawn found a love for finding gems at yard sales in which he turned into a successful Ebay business. On any given Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you could find him at a yard, moving or estate sale hunting for his next unique find. In 1986 the Lord called Shawn to ministry and he then dedicated his life to the Lord. Later in his life he could be found studying and reading his bible at Quiet Cove Park or Locus Grove, two of his favorite places. Shawn passed away on November 30, 2021 at Vassar Brothers Hospital, in Poughkeepsie, NY due to complications from Covid-19. Shawn Du is survived by his wife Brendalee and their children, his sisters Karen, Gina, Hawanya, Maia, brother Diallo and a host of family and friends

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