Thomas Lee Nash

Thomas L. Nash, 65, of Rockford died Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. Tom was born February 20, 1951 in Rockford, IL to Curtis and Henrietta (Smith) Nash. He married his wife, Debra Rattner, on November 29, 1975 in Rockford, IL. Tom graduated from Guilford High School Class of 1969, Rock Valley College, Northern Illinois University, and Drake University Law School. He practiced law for over 35 years in Rockford, during which time he focused his practice on assisting people injured on the job. Tom was a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, he was previously the treasurer of the Democratic party in Winnebago County, and he was also involved with the Alliance for Labor in Rockford. Tom had a lifelong love of the Green Bay Packers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bulls which he shared with his children. Tom’s life was centered around his wife, Deb, and their three children, Kate, Erin, and Scott. He cherished time with his family, especially at the lake, coaching the kids’ basketball and football teams, and on family vacations. He was always there for his family and he put them above everything else in his life. Tom had an outgoing personality and he was known for telling entertaining stories from his own life experiences; he truly had a gift for making people laugh. Many of those stories involved his lifelong friends from “the neighborhood” who provided Tom with so many fun memories. Tom’s family would like to thank everyone at Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care and for truly going above and beyond. Survivors include wife, Deb; daughters, Kate and Erin; son, Scott; siblings, John (Linda) Nash, Carolyn (Ray) Goetsch, and Kurt Nash; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Rattner; sister-in-law, Brenda Von Zellen; brother-in-law, Bill Rattner; numerous nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends. Predeceased by his father, Curtis; mother, Henrietta; father-in-law, Edward Rattner; and sister-in-law, Susan Metke. Tom’s family invites you to join them in a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 11, 2016 for an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie Street, Rockford, IL 61107. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 S. Alpine Rd., Ste. 307, Rockford, IL 61108. Express online condolences at www.fitz