Elias Ayash, 88, of Fall River, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2008, at the Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Nora (Shabo) Ayash. Born in Fall River, he was a son of the late James F. Ayash and the late Saidie (Mizher) Ayash. He was a lifelong resident of Fall River and employed for twenty six years as a Police Officer with the Fall River Police Department, retiring in 1974. A United States Marine Corps Veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations and was wounded in action, earning him the Purple Heart. Mr. Ayash was a member of the Lebanon-American Society, the Lebanese-American Veterans Association, the Massachusetts Police Association, the Massasoit-Narragansett Masonic Lodge of Fall River, and the Aleppo Shriners. He enjoyed working around the house and reading. In addition to his wife of fifty eight years, Nora, he is survived by a son, Monnie Ayash of Fall River, a sister, Mary A. Medeiros of Fall River and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Albert Ayash and the late Reina Ayash. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Anthony of the Desert Church. Pallbearers Arthur Frank, Allen Pontes, Patrick Reagan, Russell Lewis, Louis Machado and Scott Davis brought Elias to his final resting place at Oak Grove Cemetery.