Michael Nash Obituary

What I will remember about Mike is what I came to know during the course of a decade, starting one Thanksgiving at Jim and Judy’s house in Orland Park.

This had to be 1996 or 1997. Jim and I were married with no kids. We’d flown in to spend the holiday with the family. There was a long table set in the front living room. Dinner was about to start. Mike was sitting next to me and we chatted, but I didn’t know him well.

Wendy came over to show us a photo she’d taken of Hanna, Laina and Elly. In it, all three girls were huddled together under one big piece of flowered fabric. They were cozy and smiling. It was a beautiful shot and I said so. Mike did, too.

Wendy said, “Thanks,” and added, “It’s so…them, you know?” She looked at the picture again, smiling. And I nodded and said something like, “Yes, it’s a great photo.”

After Wendy walked away, Mike turned to me. “She sees something in that picture we don’t see.”

I nodded, but I didn’t know how to take that. Was he being gently teasing of Wendy, for being so enamored of her kids? Was there something I had missed, being new to the family? I guess he saw my confusion. He said that we can’t see what Wendy sees when she looks at that photo. When you’re a parent, he said, you see your children in ways no one else can possibly know.

I answered along the lines of, “Oh, okay. Well, it’s a nice picture. Pass the turkey, please.” I didn’t get it.

Skip forward to 2000. Lucy was about nine months old and Jim had his camera out constantly. She was our perfect little love, and we took a million photos of her, which I’m sure annoyed everyone around!

I remember one picture in particular, where she was crawling from her bedroom to the bathroom. You could see her pudgy arms and legs and she had a big, toothless grin, eyes alight in anticipation of a bath.

When friends looked at the picture, they said it was cute. But I could see Lucy: her joy, how she loved splashing in the bubbles; her intelligence, how she knew the word “bath” and just where to go to get one; her sense of self, how she was proud of crawling on her own. And even if I explained that to people, they didn’t really get it. They weren’t her parent.

That Thanksgiving conversation with Mike came right back to me. What Mike, the dad, knew.

I was so impressed, partly because this insight was so heartfelt and deep and Mike to me seemed so -- I don’t know – tough? Masculine? I realized that I had unconsciously stereotyped him a bit. Military guy, always calm, cool, collected. And there he was, years before, making an observation based on a depth of feeling and understanding I just had no idea about.

In the years after that, I spent many more times with Mike, in Maryland, Illinois and New York. He could talk about anything under the sun, from building things to parenting, from politics to marriage. And he told some funny, funny stories along the way. He was among the first people anyone turned to when they needed help. Not just to install a new oven, which he did for us happily and better than we could have ever bumbled through it. But also, when needed, to instill strength. He would tell you what he knew -- and what he didn’t know (a rare, rare trait) – and it was always a good conversation.

To the Nash Family:
I remember how much fun Mike had when visiting Wendy at NIU. He lived life to the fullest! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Our family lived next door to Mike and his wonderful family for many years in Ben Oaks in MD. A year and a half ago we moved to IL. Words cannot express the loss we feel for his wife, children and the rest of his family. Mike was a WONDERFUL person who will be missed by many.

We have so many wonderful memories of him. I remember when we had a blizzard in MD (Illinois residents would laugh at the amount of snow that shuts down Maryland schools and businesses). Mike left his house to drive his big truck around and help anyone he could find stuck in the snow.

Frequently, we lost electricity in the neighborhood of Ben Oaks. It was never a problem when we lived next door to Mike, because he had a gigantic generator. He would hook us up to it (along with the neighbors on the other side), so the food in our refrigerator wouldn't go bad. I remember when our basement flooded, and Mike and Lori came over to help get rid of the water. They were quite a team.

The memories continue with this theme. Mike helping the people around him or seeking out people to help. The world needs more people like him and Lori. As Lori would say "Don't pay us back, Pay It Forward."

The world is a better place because of Mike Nash. He will be missed greatly.

To All of Mike's Family,
May God's love shine down upon all of you as time attempts to heal the pain in your hearts. Keep Mike's memories alive as his legacy lives on in all of you. He is now an angel who will always be with you. I hope it helps to know that your friends are sending lots of love and prayers your way.

I came to know Mike while he was working on a project at the Arlington County Dept. of Human Services. He was a caring, knowledgeable and dedicated professional, as well as an interesting, kind and wonderful person. He talked about his family frequently, and it was obvious that they were everything to him. In fact, when he set up his temporary office in our building, the first thing that appeared were pictures of his wife and children. What a sad, sad loss for his family and all those who know and care about him. Too soon to say good-bye Mike - but there is comfort in knowing you are enveloped in the white light for eternity.

I once read an epitaph that said “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal” and although I lost touch with Mike over the years, as I hung up from hearing the terrible news, I began to think about some of the fond memories I have of Mike Nash.

I knew from the first time he made me laugh hysterically in English class, I just had to get to know him. A short time into the friendship I remember partying with him on one night and standing in the gym the very next morning with my jaw hanging open as he was twirling himself at dizzying speeds around the high bar, thinking the whole time, wow, I actually know that deranged guy! But the nicest memory I have of Mike was on the night of our senior prom. When he heard that my date had a temperature of 104 and that I may not be going, he and his date showed up at my front door telling me I had to go with them because according to Mike “anyone knows that going to the prom with two dates has to be way more fun than going with one.” I remember thinking at that moment what a cool guy he was.

I hope his family finds comfort in knowing that he is fondly remembered by those who knew him and although we are mourning the loss of a friend, there are others rejoicing to meet him.

My Dear Julie & Terry,
Please accept my heartfelt Sympathy & prayers as you deal with your loss and may all your beautiful memories carry you and your family through. Joan Briggs

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You will be missed. God Bless

My condolences on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To Mike's wife, children and the entire family, we extended to each our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Mike was a valued member of our team and he will deeply missed. His commitment to his craft, dedication to serving his country, and loyalty to his teammates were second to none.

He worked hard. He played hard. He lived life to the fullest. To this I lift a Jim Beam in his honor.

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Mike’s passing. I will forever treasure the memories of Mike, especially our Downers Grove days. My thoughts are prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless you.