David Nerrow

Colonie - David J. Nerrow, 88, of Colonie, passed peacefully on Monday, May 31, 2021. Born on February 11, 1933 in Waterbury, CT; he was the son of Joseph and Emelyn (Dillon) Nerrow, brother of Justine Ryan.

Dave grew up in Waterbury, CT and was a graduate of the The Taft School in Watertown, CT.  He loved Taft and extolled its virtues.  Cornell University welcomed him in 1951, graduating him in 1955 with a degree in chemical engineering.  After a short tenure with Mallinckrodt Chemical in St. Louis, MO, he began a long career with the General Electric Company’s silicone division in Waterford, NY.  Dave’s most proud professional moments came with his participation in the NASA Space Shuttle program.  For those that knew him, please know that the pocket pen protector with a Space Shuttle logo was with him when he passed.  He would like folks to have that smile.

On June 3, 1961, he married Barbara Forth, whom he met one day at the office.  It was a stroke of brilliant fortune.  They settled in Colonie where they raised a family and reside in the same ‘starter home’ to this day.  Dave was a stickler for precision, and while he and Barbara were married for ‘nearly 60 years’, he would more proudly say ’59 years, 362 days’.  Details are his enduring legacy.

Dave was a 50-year communicant at the Church of St. Clare, where he served as a steadfast lecturer for decades.  He enjoyed chasing the small white ball and loved the ageless challenge of bridge partners.  The St. Louis Cardinals was his team, and the NY Giants never failed to disappoint.  Genealogy caught his interest later in life and became his very entertaining research obsession.  He pored over century-old immigration records and doggedly chased down every branch of the family tree. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara; two sons: David, Jr. of Concord, MA and Stephen of Hopewell, OR; a daughter, Linda, of North Reading, MA; grandchildren: David III, Margaret, Emelyn, & Harold Nerrow; and a nephew, David Ryan of Sudbury, MA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00am, Thursday, June 3 at the Church of St. Clare, Central Ave, Colonie.  Entombment will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Wednesday, June 2 at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue, Colonie.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which will benefit his granddaughter in countless ways.

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