Date of death: 12/14/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1967
Father Martin B. Nassr, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Toledo since 1967, passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. He was 81 years old.
He was born Dec. 16, 1941, to Anthony Michael (Nap) and Florence (Jansen) Nassr.
He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and four siblings, Michael (Bobbie), Miriam Kurek (Jerry, deceased), Melanie Keil (Bob, deceased), and Molly Leonard (Michael).
Growing up, he attended St. James Parish and School (1947-1955) and went on to St. Francis de Sales High School (1955-1959). After graduation, he attended St. Meinrad Seminary College in Southern Indiana (1959-1963), earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Fr. Marty earned a Masters of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary College in Cincinnati (1963-1967) and Masters in Religious Education from Loyola University Chicago (1978).
As a diocesan priest, he had assignments at St. John Parish (Defiance), St. Peter Parish (Huron), St. Mary (Vermillion), St. Adalbert (Toledo), Central Catholic High School (Toledo), St. John (Toledo), St. Catherine (Toledo), St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Findlay), Saints Peter and Paul Parish (Sandusky), St. Peter (Archbold), and Our Lady of Mercy (Fayette). Fr. Marty was granted Senior Status on July 1, 2012, and continued to help and serve at many parishes, schools, institutions, and communities.
In over 50 years of service, Fr. Marty was involved in numerous other ministries including Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), Exercise in Christian Living (ECL), Marriage Enrichment Retreats, Parish Retreats, Divorced/Separated Retreats, helping with a Divorced/Separated support group, Retreats for Deacons and Spouses, Enrichment Days at various parishes, and Seniors (over 55) Retreats, and provided individual Spiritual Direction to many. Fr. Marty was a pastor who believed in collaboration and consensus and the importance of involving the faithful in the life of the Church.
Fr. Marty loved organizing and bringing groups of people together. The St. James Class of ’55 meets bi-monthly and enjoys a dinner together, along with reminiscing and discussing the health and well-being of classmates. Fr. Marty would notify class members as to the time and place and send a report on each gathering including a photo. The St. Francis de Sales High School class of ’59 meets monthly to catch up on all the latest happenings with classmates. Fr. Marty was also the official secretary for their meetings and always provided a report along with a picture of all in attendance. All members of the group looked forward to the meeting report to see what alliterations would be included. Monthly, Fr. Marty was part of the Class of ’67 Meinrad Zoomers, a monthly zoom session with fellow St. Meinrad classmates to discuss Papal Documents or a suggested book. He was dedicated to his monthly priests’ support group, Ubi Caritas, which has been meeting since 1974. Fr. Marty organized a Doo-Wop concert group, sending out invitations to one and all to attend Doo-Wop concerts at the Maumee Indoor Theatre. This group combined two of his loves, music and bringing people together.
Fr. Marty was a faith filled, prayerful servant who dedicated his life to caring for and supporting the spiritual needs of all who came his way. His legacy will endure in the lives of those who were blessed to know him.