WESTFIELD - Donald M. Nash, Sr., age 77, of Villa Drive, Westfield, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Florida Hospital Altamonte, in Altamonte Springs, Fla., as a result of injuries sustained in a bus accident.
Don was born on February 3, 1933, in Kenmore, N.Y., the son of the late Mason and Gracia (Markham) Nash.
Don was a Graduate of Kenmore High School and the University of Buffalo where he received his bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. During the 1970s, Don had been active with the University Alumni Association, where he was held in very high regard by his fellow alumni and peers. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in counter-intelligence. Don moved to Westfield in the early 1960s and became a partner with William McMahon, owning and operating Kingan's Pharmacy on Main Street in Westfield for many years. Following the sale of Kingan's, he worked for Brooks Drugs, Eckert's Drugs, and CVS Pharmacy. After his retirement, he helped his son, Don, Jr., launch two successful pharmacies and continued to practice as a relief pharmacist for Nash Pharmacy Services. An outstanding citizen, Don served the community of Westfield in many ways, as a town of Westfield councilman for many years, a former member of the Fire Department of Westfield, and a member of its Exempt Fireman's Association. Mr. Nash was a faithful member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Westfield where he had been active on the Vestry and a member of the choir. Don was also a member of the Rotary Club of Westfield, The Westfield Moose Lodge, the Westfield Fish and Game Club, the Masonic Lodge of Westfield, the Chamber of Commerce and was a life member and past commodore of the Dunkirk Yacht Club. He was a member of the Westfield Rotary and the family sponsored several international exchange students. He was a member of the Pharmacy Association of Western NY and Beta Phi Sigma professional fraternity. Don held a black belt in judo and enjoyed boating, music, woodworking, dancing, water skiing, skiing, snow shoeing and almost anything to do with the outdoors. He enjoyed his many friends and was devoted to his family. A humanitarian, Don was always able to see the best in anyone; he loved his fellow man and his community.
He is survived by his wife: Judith (Palmer) Nash, his two daughters: Brenda DiMillo and Ellen (Jon) Bates and his three sons: Donald (Sarah) M. Nash, Jr., Brett (Sonia) Collins, and Brian (Susan) Collins as well as his 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Nash and his sister, Nancy Summerton.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, as soon as that information becomes available.
Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Don's family a message of sympathy or to check on service updates.
