John W. Nash
John Wallace Nash, who embarked on a newspaper career with the purchase of The Ridgefield Press in 1937, died at his home in Sarasota, Fla., on July 28.
He was 101 and died of natural causes surrounded by his caregivers and his daughter and son-in-law.
He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Helen Seale Nash, his daughter, Suzanne Wallace Nash and his four siblings, Karl, Elizabeth, Esther and Margaret.
He and his wife Helen had made Sarasota their retirement home for many years after a career of publishing New England community newspapers, starting with his purchase of The Press with his brother Karl.
Mr. Nash was born in Ridgefield on May 17, 1912, to Howard Patterson Nash and Christie Law Jones Nash.
He graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1931 and pursued an interest in economics and accounting through correspondence courses.
With the support and encouragement of Ridgefield businessmen, including the late Francis D. Martin, he and his brother Karl purchased The Ridgefield Press in 1937.
In 1948 John sold his interest in The Press to his brother and began his own newspaper career. He first acquired a weekly newspaper and printing plant in Stamford, N.Y. He moved back to Connecticut some time later with the purchase of The Litchfield Inquirer and New Milford Times. He owned the daily Winsted Evening Citizen and later owned the newspaper in Westfield, Mass., where he lived most recently before moving permanently to Florida.
Mr. Nash was recognized for his ability to provide well-respected local news and opinion in economically stable community newspapers. His newspapers won numerous awards for general excellence.
The New Milford Times was designated New England’s top weekly newspaper in 1960 by the New England Weekly Press Association.
Mr. Nash served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II.
“He told stories of living through the Depression, saving scrupulously, working hard, being self-taught and self-reliant,” his daughter Claudia said.
“He researched and studied the stock market and shared his knowledge with various investment committees, including that of the First Congregational Church in Westfield.
“He found time to be an avid golfer through the age of 91. He and Helen enjoyed many friendships through the Country Club of Sarasota,” she said.
A memorial service took place at the Toale Brothers Gulf Gate Chapel in Sarasota on July 31.
He will be buried in Ridgefield Cemetery at a date to be announced.
The 1915 Buick that he restored to represent his first car remains in his family, in the care of his nephew, Michael Eppoliti of Ridgefield, who has driven it in Ridgefield’s Memorial Day parade.
In addition to his daughter and her husband Claudia and Mike Hurley of Westfield, Mass., he is survived by four grandchildren, Todd and John Hurley, sons of Claudia and Mike, and Kristen Tudeen and Ingrid Brack, daughters of Suzanne.
He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Alaina and Nathan Hurley, children of Todd and his wife Wendy of Seattle, Wash. Emily Hurley is the daughter of John and his wife Laurie of Reading, Mass. Willow Rose is the daughter of Kristen and her husband Roy of Roswell, Ga. Willow celebrated her first birthday on the day of her great-grandfather’s death.
Surviving Ridgefield nephews include Michael Eppoliti and Thomas Nash.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or to the charity of one’s choice.