Meet Bob, Ashleigh and the Kids

Exactly Where They're Meant To Be

Resident Feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

We would like to thank Alpha Century Security for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature.

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to introduce you to Bob Dodge, Ashleigh Caiazzo and their three children: Lilly, Liam and Bobby. They are a family who truly values Newtown Square’s strong community connections, the love and support they have received as neighbors and business owners and the opportunity to show their appreciation by getting involved and giving back.

Bob and Ashleigh both grew up in Havertown. Bob went to Lynnewood Elementary and Ashleigh attended Manoa Elementary. Their paths crossed when they got to Haverford High School.

Bob and I began dating in high school,” Ashleigh explained. “We were together for a few years but then went our separate ways.

Bob went on to earn his associate’s degree in Business Management and Ashleigh completed courses to receive her Child Development Accreditation.

A few years went by, and as life — or fate — would have it, they reconnected. Ashleigh found out that one of her co-workers knew Bob through his work, so Ashleigh reached out to him.

It was one of those ‘small world’ moments, but it turned out to be the beginning of something much larger.

Bob and Ashleigh began talking more, then meeting for coffee on weekends and eventually going on dates.

By this time, Bob was living in Newtown Square while Ashleigh was in Havertown. After a few years of dating, they decided that Newtown Square would be the perfect place to blend their lives and family, so Ashleigh and her two children moved in with Bob. Two years later, they added their son to the family, got engaged and are planning a wedding in the near future.

Ashleigh and Bob

Their oldest, Lilly, loves to sing, dance and play the flute. She’s heading into 7th grade at Paxon Hollow Middle School and loves being a member of the school band.

Lilly is very creative and caring,” Ashleigh said. “She loves art, cooking, baking and helping me around the house.

Lilly also has a soft side for animals and is always asking her parents to adopt more. They already have two cats named after their favorite pastas, Gnocchi and Penne, along with a white German Shepherd named Loki!

Liam is next in line and loves all-things sports. He will be entering 5th grade at Culbertson Elementary this fall. Liam plays baseball for Newtown Edgmont Little League, football with Marple Junior Tigers and recently started wrestling.

Liam loves to make everyone laugh,” Bob said. “He also loves to train with me in martial arts and I’m excited to start helping to coach him in wrestling

Bob and Ashleigh’s youngest is Bobby.

Bobby is a love bug who never stops moving,” Ashleigh laughed. “He may be only three years old, but he has no problem keeping up with his brother and sister.

Ashleigh said they make sure Bobby has plenty of outlets for all that energy by playing soccer, riding his bike and building things. He also loves to watch his dad and brother while they’re practicing martial arts.

Bob explained that his business management degree has come in handy, but his true passion is art.

I’ve always considered myself an artist,” he said. “When I was in high school, my friends and family would ask me to draw tattoo designs for them and it was fascinating to see my designs come to life.

Bob said that by the time he was 18, he knew he wanted to pursue tattooing as his career. Bob attended his first tattoo convention in Philadelphia that year and walked away with all the tools he needed to get started.

Ashleigh and Bob’s children (L to R): Liam, Bobby and Lilly

Bob’s natural talent and hard work landed him a coveted apprenticeship with the legendary tattoo artist RC.

I feel very fortunate to have learned from the very best in the industry,” Bob said. “RC gave me so many opportunities to grow as an artist and to get my name out there.

One of his most memorable experiences came from the time he spent on WMMR’s Preston and Steve radio show. Every Tuesday was Tattoosday, when lucky guests, who would often wait over a year to get the call, would get a custom tattoo in the studio.

Bob’s impressive portfolio and waitlist grew so fast that he decided to open his own studio. In 2013 he opened Red Sparrow Tattoo in Downingtown. The success of Red Sparrow and the desire to expand brought him closer to home. These days you’ll find Bob in his Runic Tattoo studio, located right in St. Albans Circle. “I love it because I am so close to home and I also get to work with Ashleigh, who does our body piercings.”

Ashleigh said she does love working at Runic Tattoo when she’s not busy planning epic vacations for her clients.

I was a preschool teacher for many years before becoming a travel agent,” she explained. “What made me change careers was when Bob and I worked with someone to help us plan our first family trip to Disney in 2021.

She said that their agent from Mad Hatter Adventures took care of every detail and that they had the trip of a lifetime. “I was so impressed and so intrigued by the process, I decided that I wanted to give my family, my friends and my future clients the same incredible vacation experience.”

After they returned from Disney, Ashleigh called the travel agency and went in to meet the owner. “I cannot say enough wonderful things about the entire team,” Ashleigh gushed. “The level of support and training is outstanding. Oh, and the travel perks aren’t bad, either!” Of course, Ashleigh mentioned this as she was packing her suitcase to explore yet another vacation destination.

Bob, Ashleigh and the kids enjoying time at St. Albans Swim Club

When Ashleigh’s not busy balancing her kids and her career, she dabbles in photography.

I get my artistic side from my grandmother,” she said. “My grandmother painted with watercolors and always had a camera by her side.

Last year Bob bought Ashleigh a Nikon camera and she hopes to learn more about photography and incorporate it into her travel agency business.

Both Bob and Ashleigh agree that the paths they have taken have led them to exactly where they are meant to be. They love living in Newtown Square and being involved in our community. One of their favorite places to spend time is St. Albans Swim Club.

We joined in 2021 and can tell you that it is one of the best things we’ve ever done,” Ashleigh said. “The club offers so much for families. They have beautifully maintained pools, the best snack bar, playgrounds, tennis courts and they just recently added a mini-golf course.

Ashleigh and Bob also make it a priority to give back to the community that they love. Runic Tattoo sponsors many of our community programs and sports teams. Bob has also joined the Marple Civic Association, the Newtown Square Business Association, volunteers at NELL and gives his time to the Marple Junior Tigers. He and Ashleigh regularly donate to our police and EMS departments.

Thank you, Ashleigh and Bob, for sharing your story. Your dedication to your family, your neighborhood and your community is inspiring. We look forward to watching your family and your careers flourish for years to come.

Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner- Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.