Albert M. Nash Jr.
Jan. 10, 1924 – March 29, 2010
Albert Nash died peacefully at home on Monday morning, March 29, 2010.
Albert lived most of his 86 years in Friday Harbor where he was born, the second child of Albert M. Nash Sr. and Margaret McSorley Nash. His brothers, Charles and Kenneth, preceded him in death. His sister, Catherine Herdt, lives in Mount Vernon with her husband, Gary.
Al attended school in Friday Harbor, graduating in 1942. He attended the University of Washington, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. He served as a naval officer during the war, where his boat-handling skills earned him an assignment as the commander of a landing craft. He navigated across the Pacific and supported forces in the Philippines and throughout the South Pacific, winding up in Japan. Al was a great storyteller and patriot who reminisced about his time in the Navy for the rest of his life.
After the service, he continued his education at the University of Washington, where he earned a degree in pharmacy and met Priscilla Thompson of Bellingham. He and Priscilla were married on Aug. 6, 1949. They returned to Friday Harbor where Al began working in his dad’s drug store. In due course, Al took over the drug store and ran the business on the corner of Second and Spring streets in Friday Harbor for nearly 50 years.
Al will be remembered for his dedication to his customers, often opening the store and delivering medicine at all hours to islanders in need. He was active in the Washington State Pharmaceutical Association and became president in 1977-78. In 1979, he received the prestigious A.H. Robins Award for Outstanding Community Service in Pharmacy and, in 2008, the Pharmacy Legend Award.
Al was active in local government, serving on the Town Council and local service clubs. He was commander of American Legion Post 163 and was a charter member of the San Juan Lions Club. He was an avid sportsman with a love of hunting, fishing, boating and golf. He was very active in and supportive of St. Francis Catholic Church, never missing Mass. He has also been a regular supporter of the San Juan Historical Society.
He had a deep love for our country. He never missed a Memorial Day or Fourth of July Parade and passionately expressed his views to anyone who would listen.
Albert is survived by his wife, Priscilla; his sister, Catherine Herdt; his seven children and their spouses, Michael; Mary; Jack; Debbie Strasser and Robert; Teresa DeGraaff and Norman; Virginia and friend, Rick DeFreece; and Tommy and friend, Tracy Anthony.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tyler, Caitlin, Albert, Oliver and Peter Strasser; Jennifer Deacon; Priscilla, Hudson and Magdelyn Hawkins; great-grandchildren, Ashana, Ariana and Ayla Deacon; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Services for Albert:
— Rosary: Sunday, April 4, 7 p.m., St. Francis Catholic Church (viewing to follow).
— Mass of the Resurrection: Monday, April 5, 11:30 a.m., St. Francis Catholic Church.
— Interment: Following Mass, at St. Francis Cemetery, approximately 12:45 p.m.
— Reception and Celebration of Life: San Juan Golf Club, approximately 1:15 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church or to the San Juan Historical Society.
— Family of Albert M. Nash Jr.
