Charles “Chuck” J. Nash, 78, of Fish Lake, IN, lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease on Friday, July 28, 2017. He passed into eternity in the company of his loving wife, Sandra.
Chuck was born in Chicago, IL on May 6, 1939. He attended Mill Creek High School before being drafted into the Army in 1962 to honorably serve his country. While in the service, he loved to race his '61 Chevy Impala on the weekends winning him many trophies. He married the love of his life, Sandra, on September 10, 1966 in South Bend, IN. Chuck and Sandy enjoyed traveling, cheering on Notre Dame, and working on their beloved property and home. Chuck was an avid train fan. He had a place he could sit and watch the trains go by. He loved to talk to train engineers who would stop on the edge of his property for a chat. He also had a deep love of model railroading.
Chuck had many jobs in the community during his life. He worked in the warehouse at Sears & Roebuck in Chicago, was a taxi driver in South Bend, he drove an oil truck for Waggoner Fuel, mowed lawns, and worked at the Fish Lake Library. Of course, Chuck was maybe best known in the community as Mr. Nash, the bus driver. Loved and feared as a “no-nonsense” bus driver, Chuck was never without a story, joke, or anecdote for anyone willing to lend their ear. He worked for the LaPorte Community School Corporation until he retired.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Sandra of 50 years; his only son, Charles A. (Kathleen) Nash; three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Gabriel, and Jennica; a brother, Charles H. (Nicole) Canode; and the many nieces and nephews that belong to the Garganos, Santoros, Adamsons, Dowlings, Kunippens, Korzeniewskis, and Waterhouses.
Also surviving are lifelong friends, Pat & Wilma Long and Diane (the late Herman) Fry. The three couples would get together as often as time would allow for shenanigans and boundless laughter. They made sure to get together to ring in the New Year with their ever expanding families every year for the last 57 years, without exception.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adolph and Tillie Rinck; mother, Minnie Laramie; father, John Nash; brothers, Frankie Canode and Wilbur Laramie; and sister, Charlene Canode.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Eddie Ruiz officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Ct, South Bend, IN, 46637.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com