Obituary of Odell Joseph Nassar

Nassar, Odell J., age 89, of Wyckoff, died Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, surrounded by his family. Odell was born in Salisbury, NC and had resided in Eden, NC before moving to Wyckoff in 1965. Odell graduated from Catawba College, Salisbury, NC and received a Master’s Degree from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. He was a US Navy veteran having served his country during World War II. Prior to his retirement, he was a Teacher for Northern Highlands Board of Education. Odell, along with his wife, Pat, are parishioners of St. Elizabeth RC Church, where Odell served as a Eucharistic Minister, was a very active member of the Pre-Cana team, the Men’s Sharing Group, active with the Van Ministry and a former member of St. Elizabeth School Home and School Association. He also served as a volunteer at St. Martin’s Soup Kitchen, Jersey City, NJ and was a member of the NJEA. Along with the love for his church, Odell was an avid golfer who was given the opportunity to play almost every weekend with his son, Tom. He was awarded Bergen County Golf Coach of the year in 1975 and 1979. Through his love of golf, Odell was a mentor to numerous students over his teaching career and beyond. In 2015, Odell was recognized and honored by the NJ Athletic Association with a Lifetime Achievement for his service in high school golf. He was a member of the Bergen County Golf Association and the US Golf Association. The Bergen County Golf Association honored Odell by naming one of their tournaments in his name. Odell is survived by his beloved wife, Angela Patricia Nassar of 56 years and his three loving children; Tom Nassar, Mary Nassar and Michael Nassar and his wife, Anne. Odell is also survived by his two granddaughters, Georgia and Catherine Nassar, who were the delight of his life. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 5, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth’s RC Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. The interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Odell’s memory may be made to St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.