Thomas Nasser

Thomas Nasser, age 94, a lifelong Iron River, MI resident, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2015, after a four- year battle with gastric adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer). He was surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born August 24, 1920 in Iron River, MI, to Edward and Malvina (Teffault) Nasser. He attended school in Iron River, where he played football and graduated in 1938. He was an expert pistol marksman, attending the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio and he attended the University of Michigan as a pre-med student until called to World War II active duty in 1942. Tom married his high school sweetheart Nancy Swanson on January 24, 1942 in Ann Arbor, MI. In March of that year, he joined the war effort, first as a surgical technician and later completing training as a bombardier with the 15th Air Force. He flew 51 missions in Italy and North Africa being honorably discharged in 1945 as a First Lieutenant. Back in Iron River—happy to return and reunited with his growing family—he opened and operated the sporting goods store, Sportsman’s Supply, for 17 years before becoming the manager of the Miner’s State Bank Insurance Agency. In 1973, he opened his own insurance agency, Nasser Insurance Inc., where he worked until retiring in 1982. He stayed busy in the years following by running the E-Z Car Wash with his son, Damon. Tom had built and opened his first car wash in 1968 and a second one in 1998 on Lalley Road, where a completely new automatic system was installed in 2015. During his business years, Tom was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Kiwanis Club, Iron River Country Club, and the Youth Center Commission and was an Iron River City Commissioner. He served as a member of the St. Agnes school board and was president of the Iron River Businessmen’s Association. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing, bowling, dancing, playing the organ, boating at Sunset Lake, and was an avid reader. Golf was his true passion and a daily activity until age 94. He shot his second hole-in-one at age 89. Tom was always smiling and enjoying people. His proudest accomplishments were serving his country and his family, who dearly loved him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 73 years, Nancy; children, Tom (Joelynn) of Huntington Beach, CA, Dr. Jeffrey (Nancy) of Centreville, MI, J. Damon (Linda) of Iron River, Nicole (Robert) Spelhaug of Rochester, MN; his eleven beloved granddaughters, Carissa Hillman, Barbara (David) Reichow, Pamela (Jeff) Rodgers, Linda (Ben) Floor, Amy (Paul) Chrisco, Rebecca (Mark) Cussans, Chrissy Haker, Tristin Nasser, Carling, Kendall and Alexandra Spelhaug; five step grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Malvina, brother, Edward, and sisters, Betsy Bray and Lila Sadino. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River on Monday, August 3, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the service. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River. Pallbearers will be Matthew Hillman, Dave Reichow, Jeffrey Hillman, Ben Floor, Paul Chrisco, Mark Cussans, Robert Spelhaug, and Jeff Rodgers. Memorials may be directed to Camp Batawagama or the Iron River Country Club. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Nasser, please visit our flower store.