Donald W. Nass

Donald W. Nass, 87, of Southbridge, died Tuesday evening, September 9, 2008 in Harrington Memorial Hospital after he was stricken ill at home on Saturday. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Joyce A. (Bailey) Nass; a son, William D. Nass of Southbridge; a daughter, Margaret "Peg" Whitney and her husband, Richard, of Southbridge; four grandchildren, Christopher and Erica Whitney of Southbridge, Andrew Nass of Sturbridge, and Sara Nass, stationed with the Air Force at Whiteman AFB in Missouri. He was predeceased by a brother, Clarence R. Nass of Worcester, and a sister Edith V. Kacavich of Berlin, CT.

Mr. Nass was born in Worcester in 1921, a son of Harvey C. and Alice A. (Connell) Nass, and graduated from the former Commerce High School in 1939. He then lived and worked in Upton for a short time before moving to Southbridge in 1940.

A veteran of World War II, he served as a sergeant with the Army Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operation. He was a production control supervisor at the American Optical Company in Southbridge for 38 years, retiring many years ago. A member of the First United Methodist Church in Southbridge, he was also a trustee and past president of the former Southbridge Area Council of Churches. He was also a member of the Quinabaug Lodge AF&AM, American Optical Quarter Century Club, VFW Post 6055, China-Burma-India Veterans Association, Worcester Basha, and the Harrington Memorial Hospital Round Robin Bridge Club. An avid baseball fan, he attended many Red Sox and Boston Braves games years ago and often talked about seeing Babe Ruth when the Braves played at Fitton Field in 1935. Photography and travel were very important to him, and when his children were young they spent many vacations camping from Nova Scotia to Florida with their travel trailer. Upon retirement, he and his wife toured Europe, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and many other states. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

At his request, private funeral services will be held in the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home at the convenience of the family. Burial will follow in MaplewoodCemetery in Upton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society.

(www.uptonfunerals.com)