Thomas John Nestler

Thomas John Nestler, 87, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025 after a long battle with Prostate and Merkel Cell Cancer, in Boulder City, Nevada, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 21, 1937, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tom was the 14th of 16 children, and the youngest boy in a vibrant household of eight boys and eight girls. He was raised Catholic and attended St. Regis Catholic Church, where the foundations of his faith and character were laid.

Tom’s legendary work ethic began early—at just six years old, he stepped in to sell newspapers for an injured brother. That same drive stayed with him throughout his life. As he often joked, “The first day of high school, I walked in the front door and out the back, and never looked back.” One of his favorite childhood memories was playing little league at Frazier Field alongside Dan Marino Sr.—long before it was renamed in honor of his son, NFL legend Dan Marino.

In 1955, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy, proudly serving aboard the USS Knudson and the USS St. Clair County. During his time in the Navy, he participated in Operation Redwing at Bikini Atoll and Eniwetok, witnessing the first airborne hydrogen bomb test. He was honorably discharged after six years of service and cherished his memories of time spent on the USS Knudson with his brother Art and traveling to Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan.

While stationed in Long Beach, California, Tom met and married Elizabeth “Ann” Tillery in 1960. Determined to pursue his education, he returned to high school and graduated from Baldwin Park High School in 1961—side by side with his niece, Eleanor. He loved sharing stories of grabbing a bite at Bob’s Big Boy with Eleanor, delighting in the surprise of classmates learning they were uncle and niece, just three years apart in age. Tom continued on to earn his associate’s degree in Computer Programming from Pasadena City College, becoming the only one of his 16 siblings to graduate from college—an accomplishment that brought him immense pride.

Tom enjoyed a long and successful career as a truck driver, including being named Ralphs Grocery’s Truck Driver of the Year in 1979. He loved cross-country road trips to visit his family in Pittsburgh, and spent summers boating and camping on the Colorado River, eventually buying a vacation home in Havasu Lake, California. Although his 22-year marriage to Ann ended in 1982, they remained lifelong friends and later traveled together.

In 1986, Tom found love again, marrying Mary Devlin in Utah. Together they built a joyful life and blended family of six children. Tom drove for Hostess, delivering treats across California, and once retired, he embraced a simpler life—walking to Mass, shopping and cooking, watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, taking road trips and always lighting up when the grandkids would visit for his famous homemade burritos where they would be greeted with a lighthearted, “Hello Jell-O”. He and Mary spent their retirement years between Havasu Lake and Boulder City, recently celebrating 39 years of marriage just days before his passing.

Tom was known for his infectious laugh, generous spirit, and incredible hospitality. He was the consummate host—whether cooking for a family gathering or whipping up a meal on vacation, he enjoyed feeding those he loved. A proud patriot, Tom flew the American flag daily and was a lifetime member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV). He attended USS Knudson reunions with pride and was thrilled that his daughter, four granddaughters, and daughter-in-law are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Tom adored his extended family, treasuring time spent with nieces and nephews, swapping stories from their shared childhood. He often spoke of how his mother would boast that her grandchildren were “like a deck of cards—all 52 of them.” Later, two more were added—completing the perfect deck.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Nickolas Nestler and Catherine Elizabeth (Schaeffer) Nestler; his siblings Mary Sievers, Eleanor Lowry, Clara Colaizzi, George Nestler, Bertha Reck, Annie Christy, Paul Nestler, John Nestler, James Nestler, Andrew Nestler, infant sister Catherine Nestler, Robert Nestler, Patricia Seaman; and his son-in-law, Sam Natter.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Devlin/Gray) Nestler; his brother Arthur Nestler and wife Mary of Butler, PA; his sister Catherine “Betty” Strangis and husband Frank of New Mexico; and his three devoted children: daughter Cheryl Odell and husband David of Savannah, GA; son Jerry Nestler and wife Tami of Fountain Valley, CA; and son Travis Chipres and wife Amy of Park City, UT.

He is also lovingly remembered by Mary’s children: Shane Gray of CA, Travis Gray and wife Gay of TX, and Shawndell Natter of TN.

Tom was the proud grandfather of sixteen: Brooke Odell Miller (Jeff), Crystal Nestler Charlesrodriguez (Juan), Bryanna Odell Meredith (Blake), Chelsie Nestler Roth (Josh), Kaela Chipres Vaughn (Johnny), Lyndsie Chipres Lucas (Joe), Chase Cherico Chipres, Cole Cherico Chipres, Nichole Gray Franklin (Alex), Jordan Gray, Travis Gray Jr. (Summer), Trevor Gray (Ali), Molly Gray Goodyear (Jason), Trenton Gray, Hallee Gray, and Anna Natter. He also leaves behind nineteen beloved great-grandchildren.

Thomas John Nestler lived a life of service, devotion, laughter, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, humor, faith, and unwavering family bonds. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to honor veterans at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery by sponsoring a wreath to be placed at all 35,000 veterans’ graves each December. Veteran's Wreath Donations. https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/170998/Overview/?relatedId=16601