Gary Keith Nass

Gary Keith Nass of Mansfield Depot, was called to the loving arms of the Lord on January 27, 2013. Gary was born in Waverly IA on Dec. 30, 1955 to Beverly J. and the late Dr. Gilbert D Nass. After four years each in Iowa City IA and West Chicago IL, Gary's family moved to Storrs CT in 1965. Gary attended E. O. Smith HS, playing with the orchestra, several rock bands, and the basketball and baseball teams, earning All-Conference honors in soccer and a National Merit Scholarship in 1974. At the University of Connecticut, Gary played freshman soccer and nearly completed a double major in art and philosophy. Confronted with bipolar disorder since 1976, Gary valiantly struggled with the demons and the potent palliatives. During the long stretches between episodes, he pursued perfection and achieved excellence in many areas, most notably music. Using instruction books he published, Gary taught guitar, fiddle and other strings, and his flying fingers were the highlight of numerous occasions, from lawn parties to frat parties, serene dinner hours to raucous open mike nights. Gary recorded with a host of musicians in genres from hard rock to blues to children's to Americana. In recent years he turned to Christian music, composing over 100 praise songs. Broadly inquisitive, Gary was especially concerned with purity of energy, environment and soul. A compassionate friend to folks of all ages, Gary's laughter, insight and generous spirit will be fondly remembered. In addition to his mother Beverly, Gary is survived by his beloved wife and soul mate Ellen Elizabeth Nass of Mansfield Depot, his stepson Robert James Nagy of Windham, his brothers Jay Nass and David Nass of Storrs, Craig and Karen Nass of Columbia and his nephew Jason Nass of Storrs. He is also survived by his loving in laws of the Thompson/Holinko clan in Mansfield, and cousins in each time zone. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church, 667 Main Street, Willlimantic CT at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013 followed by the Celebration of Gary's Life at 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Community Meals, P.O. Box 415, Willimantic, CT 06226, or to clean water projects, http://www.charitywater.org or local aid organizations of the donor's choice. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.