Jeffrey Thomas Powers, 83, of Cape Coral, FL formerly of Ashland, MA, passed away unexpectedly at his home. He was the husband of the late Betty Ruth (Mattson) Powers who died in 1995. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Jeff played handball in the streets, attended Manual Training High School, cheered for the Dodgers and married Betty, his wife of 40 years. He served in the U.S Air Force during the Korean War as a Personnel Specialist in psycho-physiological research at the USAF Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory in Fairbanks AK. Following his service to his country, Jeff attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY earning a degree in chemical engineering which he put to good use with several companies in New York, Tennessee and Massachusetts. He was a regional sales manager for Norton Company of Worcester, MA and retired as a manufacturers' representative selling pollution control and waste handling equipment.

A longtime resident of Ashland, MA, Mr. Powers was involved in the community and with various organizations. Most notable was his dedication to Freemasonry. He became a Master Mason in 1963, was a Past Master of the North Star Lodge in Ashland, two-time Past High Priest of Concord Chapter, Past Grand Master of the 2nd Veil, Past District Deputy Grand Captain of the Host, and was Preceptor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. He received the Benjamin Hurd Jr. Medal, Red Cross of Constantine, and the York Rite Cross of Honor. Jeff was an avid fan of jazz music helping to organize and promote jazz performances in Southwest Florida. He also enjoyed sailing, cheering for the Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox, and spending summers with his family.

Mr. Powers is survived by four children; Teri Lawson and her husband Tim of Wareham, MA; John C. Powers and his wife Christina of Ashland, MA; Jeffrey Powers of Dracut; and Eric Powers and his wife Anni of Framingham; six grandchildren; Andrea Lawson, Shelby Kaye and her husband Brad, Madeline Gilmore and her husband James, Michael Powers, John Powers, and Ryan Powers; and three great-grandchildren; Emily Mariano, Marley Kaye, and Brad Kaye III.

Services are private and under the direction of the Matarese Funeral Home of Ashland, MA. www.mataresefuneral.com Donations may be made in Jeffrey's memory to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr.

Tampa, FL 33607