Obituary: David Nash | Eastern North Carolina Now

    David Nash died peacefully at home on Aug. 9, 2011. He was born in Norwalk, Conn., on Dec. 7, 1923, son of the late Harold L. Nash and Florence Starr Nash. He attended private schools and Choate School in Wallingford, Conn. He entered Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., but as he turned 18 on Pearl Harbor Day, he soon joined the Army Air Corps and served as first pilot of a B-24 bomber. Dave completed 35 combat missions over occupied France, Belgium and Germany. He flew in the position of element lead. Dave received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and the ETO Ribbon with four battle stars. Upon completion of combat duty, he acted as Instructor Pilot and Assistant Operations Officer.

    After the war, Dave married Jane Williams and returned to Williams College where he graduated cum laude. Dave and Jane had three children: Peter who now lives in Apia, Samoa with wife, Kalala; Thomas of Concord, N.C., with wife, Barbara and Katherine of Garden Valley, Calif. That marriage ended in divorce.

    In 1956, Dave married Nancy Hunt. They lived in Darien, Conn., on Pratt and Nash Islands and raised three children: David, Jr. of Trumbull, Conn., with wife, Karen; William B. of Essex Junction, Vt., and Timothy J. of Hingham, Mass., with wife, Susan. David had 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, James Nash and his sister, Janet Sametz.

    Dave worked as an advertising executive in New York in various agencies and companies. When he retired, they moved to Washington, N.C. He took up golf and became involved in many organizations in town. He and Nancy were instrumental in reviving the Friends of the Brown Library and served as the early presidents. He often gave illustrated talks on their travels to the Friends’ meetings. He was an excellent photographer and loved to share pictures of his travels with others, such as school and church groups and service organizations. He particularly enjoyed the Down East Seniors meetings. He volunteered at the Blind Center and Eagle’s Wings.

    Dave was an avid reader – particularly of history and poetry and he loved to write. He became known for his Letters to the Editor in the local paper.

    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at Zion Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Friends of the Brown Library, 122 Van Norden St., Washington, NC 27889 and Zion Episcopal Church, 7322 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington, NC 27889.

    Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.

     Paul Funeral Home and Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Nash Family.