James Newton Nash

September 5, 1930 – May 28, 2025

J. Newton Nash, Newton or “Newt” to his friends and Dad to his two children, passed away at home in the presence of loved ones at the ripe old age of 94. All will miss his outgoing, affable nature and the sage advice that he gave freely and happily to all. Newton liked nothing more than to be entertaining others and engaged in social activity. A life-long lover of racquet sports, sailing, and comradery, he was loved for his sense of humor and sharp intellect. Most importantly, Newton was a kind and unfailingly curious person who would engage in conversation with anyone he met and who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Newton was born in Brooklyn NY to parents Joseph and Estelle and raised in Scarsdale NY with his two sisters Liz and Suzanne. Newton’s life began with the challenge of an injured arm – a challenge that never slowed him down. He played tennis on the Yale tennis team, raced sail boats in rough weather, learned to down-hill ski in middle-age, and drove a stick-shift car long after automatic transmissions became common. Newt spent happy years at Kent Prep School where he excelled in academics and sports, then on to Yale for his undergraduate degree and law school at the U. of Virginia. Returning to many Kent and Yale reunions was an especially important practice for him to stay in contact with his friends from those formative years.

Newton worked as a financial advisor and lawyer up until the age of 90, for an extended period in the 1970’s and 80’s at Citibank in New York City and then self-employed for the last 35 years of his life. He and his wife, Susan Brown Nash, raised children Jim and Emily in Rye NY, a short distance from the American Yacht Club where he and his family enjoyed time swimming, sailing (mostly Newt) and playing tennis. After Newton moved to New York City he would come up to AYC frequently to entertain people over meals and to continue the outdoor activities. Second only to lively conversation, Dad loved nothing more than having a racquet or the tiller of a sailboat in his hand.

Newton found love again in mid-life with his beloved Molly, with whom he lived in New York City for the rest of his life. He and Molly spent many happy years together, travelling the country and overseas together and entertaining at home and in Friendship Maine with a community of summer friends they saw annually year after year. It was a great comfort to his loved ones seeing them happy together.

Having lived a long and eventful life, Newton will have touched many in different ways – some will know him as the fierce competitor on the tennis court, some as the knowledgeable financial and legal advisor, and all will remember his amiability and sense of humor and love of people. Many untold strangers and tourists will undoubtedly know him as the smiling face of the older gentleman passing through Grand Central Station who offered to take their photo when he saw they needed help!

Newton is survived by his partner Martha “Molly” Calhoun Wood and her daughter Lala and granddaughter Paloma (New York, NY); by his son Jim and his partner Becky (Port Chester, NY); by his daughter Emily and her husband Geoff (Steuben, ME) and their two children Lanny and Percy; by his twin sister Suzanne Nash (Carantec, France); and, by his many nieces and nephews living in the U.S. and France. He is predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Yeaton (Andover, MA).

A remembrance will be held this summer for Newton in Friendship, Maine.