Jeffrey Vern Nash

August 7, 1967 – September 15, 2026

Jeffrey V. Nash, longtime Executive Director of Habilitat and a respected leader in Hawaiʻi’s recovery community, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, at the age of 59, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Jeff lost his father, John V. Nash, at a young age and shared an especially close bond with his mother, Janice L. Nash. After graduating from Habilitat, he took great joy in traveling the world with her and creating memories they both treasured. She passed away in 2023.

Jeff’s journey with Habilitat began in 1986 as a personal journey of change that ultimately became his life’s calling. After graduating from the program and returning, he devoted the next four decades to helping others discover that same possibility within themselves.

Jeff served Habilitat in many capacities and became one of the organization’s most trusted leaders. In 2002, he was appointed Clinical Director, entrusted by Habilitat co-founder Vickie Marino to help carry forward the legacy and philosophy established by her and her husband, Vinny Marino. In 2016, Jeff became Habilitat’s Executive Director.

Jeff did more than lead Habilitat; he gave his life to it.

Under Jeff’s leadership, Habilitat strengthened its financial foundation, expanded community partnerships, invested in its historic Kaneohe facility and established transitional homes to give graduates a safe and stable foundation after completing the program. He guided Habilitat through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring its doors remained open to those seeking a better life.

Jeff believed deeply in people others had given up on. He treated everyone with dignity and respect while holding them accountable to become the best version of themselves. Known for his integrity, honesty and genuine concern for others, Jeff earned the respect of residents, graduates, staff, judges, community leaders and friends around the world.

Active in the community, Jeff was a member of Rotary and the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and served on the board of the Bobby Benson Center. He built meaningful relationships throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond, bringing people together in support of recovery, personal responsibility and second chances.

Outside of Habilitat, Jeff loved traveling, photography, sailing, playing guitar and caring for his birds. He treasured his friendships, adventures and the many experiences his life brought him.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, John V. Nash and Janice L. Nash. He is survived by his girlfriend Lucille Dwight; his cousin Laurel Clark, her husband Steve and their sons Jamie, Hunter and Ian; his cousin Ren Anderson; his uncle Brad and Laura Hays and cousins Gregory, Jennifer and Graham; and his aunt Yvette Davis and cousins Derek, Shon and Tara.

During his final days, Jeff was surrounded by extraordinary love and friendship at a peaceful beach house in Lanikai overlooking the Mōkūlua islands. Family, close friends, colleagues and members of the Habilitat community came to spend time with him, sharing memories, gratitude and love. His exceptional hospice nurses, whose connection to Habilitat brought his life’s work beautifully full circle, cared for him with compassion and dignity. In those final days, Jeff was able to see firsthand the profound impact he had made on so many lives, surrounded by people he loved, beautiful sunrises and the ocean - a peaceful conclusion to a life that touched so many.

Jeff’s greatest legacy lives in the thousands of people he believed in, the families he helped reunite and the men and women who found hope because he refused to give up on them. He carried forward the vision of Habilitat’s founders with honor and left behind an organization made stronger by his leadership and a community made better by his life.

The greatest way to honor Jeff is to continue the work to which he devoted his life. Because of the foundation he built and the people he prepared to lead, Habilitat will continue serving those in need with the same integrity, strength and belief in the possibility of change that Jeff demonstrated every day.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kaneohe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Habilitat Jeffrey Nash Legacy Fund at Habilitat.com.