Patrick W. Nash

Patrick William Nash, 83, died peacefully on May 14, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.

He was born February 21,1943, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Francis and Agnes Violette Nash. The third of eleven children, Pat grew up in northern Minnesota, first in Red Lake Falls, and later in Wilpen. His life was shaped by adventure, mischief, and a Catholic faith that would anchor every chapter of his life.

After graduating from Hibbing High School in 1961, he attended Hibbing Community College before enlisting in the Army in 1963, serving his country with pride until 1965, carrying the sense of service with him long after his military service ended. Pat went on to work in accounting and law enforcement, eventually retiring as a Denver Deputy Sheriff after 13 years of service.

In 1968 he married Elizabeth “Jeanne” Hamilton and together they welcomed daughters Sherri and Jennifer, who were among the greatest joys of his life from the moment they arrived until the moment he died.

In 1984, he met Laurie Blain, the love of his life and partner in all that followed. They married in 1987 and built a life together in the Denver area, walking side by side in faith through life’s challenges and joys.

In 1994, Pat faced one of the defining moments of his life when surgery to remove his cancerous larynx changed the mechanics of his voice but did not silence him. He lived even louder and regularly advocated on behalf of the American Cancer Society, talking to young people candidly about the dangers of smoking, championing Denver’s indoor smoking ban, and actively participating in the Laryngectomee Club of Metro Denver. His laugh – even more iconic after his surgery – became his signature. What could have slowed him down only seemed to propel him forward.

In retirement, he traded the uniform for a golf cart and could be found regularly on the Emerald Greens course at Windsor Gardens as well as many other courses around the Denver area. He proudly scored a hole-in-one while playing with his son-in-law, his crowning achievement of his golf career.

Caring for his grandsons, Nicholas and Alex, was something Pat cherished deeply. Several days a week they would go on adventures to parks, museums, the mountains, Dairy Queen, and the pirate’s treasure chest in his backyard. He loved to tease them, make them laugh and spoiled them in all the ways a grandpa should. Now and then, an adventure ended with stitches and a visit to the emergency room, but in Pat’s view, that was just part of a childhood well lived.

Pat loved the outdoors. He fished in Canada and hunted across Minnesota and Colorado, which kept his freezer well-stocked and his walls decorated. Visitors to his home were given a proper introduction to “Andy” the antelope and his hunting tales tended to grow just a bit with each retelling. He loved heading to the mountains in his Bronco or Ram, roaming backroads not found on a map looking for wildlife.

At home, Pat was often in the garage, listening to classic country and happily tinkering or building something, usually dressed in camouflage shorts, sandals, or an American flag shirt. If he wasn’t in the garage, he was at the table playing dominoes or cards. Every year, he looked forward to the annual “Ca-Nash-ta” tournaments in Wyoming, where he took great pride in reminding everyone of the rules—whether anyone had asked or not.

His Catholic faith was the bedrock of his life. For eighteen years, he walked in the Neocatechumenal Way, gathering weekly with his brothers and sisters in faith and showing up as a steady, faithful presence in his community. Pat was a founding member of Council 12800 of the Knights of Columbus in St. James Parish, Denver. He was also a Faithful Navigator, Honorary Member and 4th Degree Knight. St. James holds their famous Lenten Fish Fry every year and Pat enjoyed greeting hungry patrons with a smile as he helped with collecting and counting the money. Raising funds and helping install a monument of the 10 commandments and Beatitudes in front of the church was something Pat was very proud of.

Pat will be remembered for his loyalty, his humor, and his stubborn joyful way of carrying him through whatever hand life dealt him.

Pat is survived by his wife Laurie Nash; his daughters Sherri (Jim) Stirbis and Jennifer Nash (Kipp Kramer); his grandsons Nicholas and Alex Stirbis; his siblings John Nash (Barb Schutte), Julie Eskeli, Ed Nash, and Violet (Dwight) Gilbride; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, along with his brothers and sisters in his community of faith. He was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Agnes; his siblings Fran., Irene, Don, Kathy, Dick, and Scott; and his nephews Mike and Tom and a great-nephew, Devin.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 1311 Oneida St., Denver, CO 80220, with an overnight vigil to follow. On Wednesday, May 27, the rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., both at St. James Catholic Church. A reception will follow Mass at 11:30 a.m. Committal and interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Saint Simeon Catholic Cemetery, 22001 E. Highway 30, Aurora, CO 80018.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Parish at https://stjamesdenver.org/ or the American Cancer Society at https://American Cancer Society/donate/memorial giving.html