Francis W Nye

“What a life I had!” declared Francis (Frank) W. Nye, Major General, USAF, Retired who died at the age of 100 on January 13, 2019. Francis was born on a farm in Barton, Vermont to Percy Hildreth Nye and Clara Elizabeth “Bessie” Murphy Nye on June 29, l918. He attended Barton Academy from first grade through high school. Francis was very active with several farming projects with the Future Farmers of America. In the fall of 1935, during his senior year in high school, he received the American Farmer Degree in Kansas City, MO. He was forever indebted to Cedric Pierce, the Barton Academy Principal, who urged him to go the University of Vermont. Francis majored in Vocational Agriculture with plans for a teaching career. He graduated in June 1941, then enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet in July 1941. After 31 years of distinguished service, he retired in February 1972. Francis’ decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal. He is a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Vermont. He was an Honorary Member of the Albuquerque Rotary Club since l972. He was an active member of the Albuquerque Country Club since l969 and is a past Club President. He belonged to several Senior Golf Groups, and enjoyed golfing throughout the U.S. and in many foreign countries.

He was very proud of his oldest daughter, Cynthia Jane Nye, a champion swimmer, bowler, and bocce player who was the 1989 Special Olympian of the Year for the state of New Mexico. Francis was a supporter of ARC since its inception in 1957, and supported ARCA, in Albuquerque, for decades. He served as the Executive Director of Cynthia’s group home, C.A.S.A., Inc. for many years. Cynthia passed away in 2016; Francis said “Cindy was the joy of our lives!” Francis is also predeceased by his three wives: Patricia Price Nye (“the love of my life”), Maureen Gilmore Nye (“a lovely, lovely woman”), Nina Van Ausdal Nye (“a real pistol, a whole lot of fun!”); and his only sibling, younger brother William Percy (Bill) Nye; and step-son, John Gilmore. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia S. Nye, MD (Norma) and Janet M. Olson (Ronald); three grandchildren, David Nye Olson (Suzanne), Daniel Patrick Olson (Jennifer), and Patricia S. Bredehoft (Jason); and six great-grandchildren, Anders and Ellis Olson, Corban and Joshua Olson, and Anna and Matthew Bredehoft. He is also survived by his cousin, Betty Murphy; his nephew, Terry Nye (Rita); the extended families of Maureen Gilmore Nye and Nina Van Ausdal Nye; and other extended family members as well as many friends and admirers.

The Nye family would like to express their deep gratitude to the amazing staff members of Ambercare Hospice and Montebello Independent & Assisted Living.

A Catholic Prayer Service will be celebrated by Father Charles Dougherty on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH-Lomas, followed by interment with full military honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honor of Francis Nye, to Special Olympics New Mexico, 6600 Palomas Ave NE #207, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-856-0342.