Richard Nash
Richard “Dick” Nash, 93, Canton
Canton- Richard “Dick” Nash, DDS, devoted husband of the late Thalia (Walsh) Nash passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025 at the New York State Veteran’s Home at Oxford. He was born on May 8, 1932, in Poughkeepsie, NY, to Arthur P. and Frances Mae (Dingle) Nash, the eldest of four children.
He grew up in Hurley, NY, a historic town in the Hudson Valley. Some of his fondest childhood memories were of time spent exploring the great outdoors. He especially enjoyed fur trapping and searching for ancient arrowheads, of which he amassed quite a collection. It is during this time he began a lifelong friendship with Dick Schenck, with whom he shared some of his greatest memories and a close friendship until his passing.
He earned a Bachelor of Science from Union College, a Master of Science from SUNY Albany and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Buffalo. While pursuing his education, he played college football and was a member of the Delta Epsilon Fraternity. He was also a Korean War Veteran, having been drafted in 1954, and served with the Army AUS Infantry at Fort Jackson, SC.
Upon graduation, and completion of his residency, he set up private dental practices in the Ulster County community of Saugerties, NY and the northern NY communities of North Bangor, Malone, Waddington and Ogdensburg. He was also employed for a time by the State of New York, as a dentist at the St Lawrence Psychiatric Center and later at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, Ogdensburg, NY. He is still fondly remembered by many as the proud slogan contest winner for the then newly opened Ogdensburg Correctional Facility. His winning slogan, “OCF The Best Lock On The Seaway”, is especially poignant with the recent closing of the facility.
He followed in his younger brother’s footsteps, joining him in Taif, Saudi Arabia, where both brothers worked at the same hospital. This was a special time for both families, who embarked on new adventures abroad and spent precious time together.
Richard embraced the northern NY lifestyle and enjoyed summers on Chateauguay Lake swimming and sailing, along with winters skiing north country trails. He was also an avid golfer and was a member of several local golf leagues over the years. When not on the course, he could often be found chipping balls in the front yard of his home in Canton, NY.
Upon retirement, he and Thalia divided their time between residences in Canton, NY, Winter Haven, Florida and their many waterfront cottages in the north country. In addition, he and Thalia enjoyed visiting their daughters in Tucson, Arizona and Santa Barbara, California.
He was a loving husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and friend, and his family will remember him for his sense of humor, diverse knowledge and generous nature.
Richard was predeceased by his loving wife Thalia Ann (Walsh) Nash, a brother Peter Nash, a beloved sister Patricia (Nash) Glennon, a brother-in-law John E. Glennon, a sister-in-law Rosemary Nash, a brother-in-law James I. Walsh, a son- in-law Paul D. Hartmann and a nephew Jeffrey Glennon. He is survived by a brother, Dr. Robert Nash, Virginia Beach, VA; Adeline C. Nash, Syracuse, NY; a sister-in-law Jeanne Walsh, Salisbury, MD; a daughter, Terry Hartmann, Tucson, AZ; a daughter Nola (Nash) Lloyd and husband David, Canton, NY; a daughter Carole A. Strehlow and her husband Ryan, Santa Barbara, CA; a daughter Wendy L. Lewis and her husband Wellington (Joe), Waddington, NY; a granddaughter Lauren N. Vasse and husband Sage, Linthicum Heights, Maryland, a grandson Justin W. Bessette and partner Michael J. Cubera; Woodside, Queens NY; a grandson Nash W. Bessette and partner Makenna L. Ashley, Canton, NY; a granddaughter Alexis G. Bessette and partner Owen E. Magurk, Canton, NY and Lake Placid, NY (respectively); a friend Richard Schenck, Chapel Hill, NC; and many cherished nieces and nephews of whom he was very proud.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charitable organization of your choosing.
Arrangements are under the care of Lawrence Funeral Home, 21 Park Street, Canton, New York 13617. A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the New Brookside Cemetery, Waddington, New York.