James F. Nash, known to friends as “Jim,” peacefully passed surrounded by his loving family on March 18, 2018, at the age of 85 years.  Jim was a resident of Wayne with his wife, Frances (née Commarato), who survives him.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 14, 1932, to Grace Shugrue Nash and James F. Nash, Jr., he moved in early childhood with his family to Katonah, New York, where he was raised and graduated from high school.  Jim graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in economics and then was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving for two years and rising to the rank of lieutenant.  After his service in the Navy, Jim worked for the First National City Bank of New York in New York City before a long career as an executive in domestic and international finance at American Cyanamid.  While at Cyanamid, he was Director of Corporate Real Estate, Director of International Banking and Finance, and Assistant Treasurer before retiring in 1996.  Since his retirement, Jim had worked as a consultant in international finance and export insurance.

Jim had a zest for life and was a loving husband and father, as well as a doting grandfather and great-grandfather.  He was a voracious reader of mysteries and thrillers, and an avid gardener who frequently earned “Lawn of the Month” honors in his subdivision.  Jim also was an inveterate sun worshipper who loved the beach because “it sure beats working!”  Jim enjoyed traveling internationally and domestically with his wife, Frances, and visiting his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  A devout Catholic who was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation in Wayne and of St. Mary’s in Pompton Lakes, Jim spent many years helping with parish finances and was a driving force behind Ecuador Quilt, a philanthropic organization to build schools, playgrounds, and housing for the poor in Ecuador.

Jim also is survived his daughters Jean Hildreth of Atlanta and Karen Nash-Goetz of Baltimore, sons-in-law Jeff Hildreth and Chuck Goetz, grandchildren Kathleen Hildreth, Katie Hildreth, Abby Hildreth Johnson and her husband Nolan, Emily Hildreth, Molly Hildreth, and Hal Goetz, and great-grandchildren Enya Renfrow and Will Johnson.  His sister Barbara Nash Hudgins, his brothers John Nash and Michael Nash, and his sisters-in-law Midge Nash and Joan Nash, also survive him.  Jim will be long remembered by his family and his large circle of friends for his humor, love of life, and generosity.

Memorial donations in memory of Jim can be made to Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church of Wayne, New Jersey.