Morris “Muff” Nassivera

Nassiveral, MorrisHUDSON FALLS – Morris “Muff” Nassivera, 92, of Hudson Falls, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the Glens Falls Hospital, after a long illness.

Born on January 17, 1926, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the Italian immigrants, Attilio and Rose (Bocchi) Nassivera.

Muff was a 1943 graduate of Hudson Falls High School. Following his graduation, he served in the US Army Air Corps as a tail gunner on a B-29, during World War II.

In his youth, Muff played football, baseball and basketball in Hudson Falls. After high school, he excelled in football with the Hudson Falls Greenjackets, leading them to two state championships.  He also played Greenjacket Basketball and baseball.  Muff excelled in football, basketball and baseball wherever he played.

Morris “Muff” Nassivera was a very well known high school football and basketball referee in this area, for over fifty years. As a basket ball official, he served the IAABO Board 36 for over 50 years.  He refereed hundreds of high school varsity games as well as sectional and championship games.  He served on many committees for board 36, as well as it’s president for two terms.  Muff was also the basketball commissioner for the Northern Conference and Foothills Leagues, assigning basketball games to officials at ever level of the game.

As a football official, he served the Adirondack Chapter of Certified Football Officials in numerous capacities. Muff was an active member of the group for 50 years.  He served on the executive committee for as many as forty of those years, serving as a Vice President and President.  He was also the football Commissioner assigning varsity football games to officials for 25 years.  Muff was instrumental in training younger football officials to be a referee and wear the White Hat.  He was also the recipient of the football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame award as well as being inducted into the Capital District Football Hall of Fame.  He was a diligent teacher of football officials with firmness and fairness.  Muff was a very highly respected official in this area.  Schools would request to have Muff Nassivera on their game.

Muff helped form the Hudson Falls Little League, he was inducted in to the Hudson Falls Wall of Distinction, the sports Memorial Hall of Fame at Glens Falls and the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield MA as an official.

On March 18, 1945, he married Anne Hope Somers. She passed away on August 29, 2004.

Muff was self employed as a partner of Decan Construction in West Glens Falls.

He was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

Muff served as mayor of Hudson Falls for seven years. Throughout his life, he was very active in his community..

Muff owned and trained multiple horses and in 1974, he had the Hall of Fame horse Riffraff. He was President of the Northeastern Harness Horseman’s Association and a member of the Glens Falls Country Club.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his son, Terry Nassivera.

He is survived by his children, Mark Nassivera and his wife, Pat of Fort Ann, Joseph Nassivera of Los Angeles, David Nassivera and his wife, Debby of Kingsbury, Matthew Nassivera of Saratoga Springs and Ann Hope Pugliese and her husband, Richard of Gansevoort; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother, A. John Nassivera of Hudson Falls ; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church on the park in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

Muff’s family would like to thank Dr. Beaty for all his care and compassion.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

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12 Responses to Morris “Muff” Nassivera

  1. Mike Cronin says:

    Sorry we can’t be there as we are in Las Vegas. Muff was a great guy and will be missed.

  2. Sandy Beaulieu says:

    So sorry for the loss of Muff . Super nice man. He was a great asset community of HF and the Horseman’s Association in Saratoga .
    Our deepest condolences ,
    Sandy and Rachel Beaulieu

  3. John Taaffe says:

    Nassivera Family
    Deepest condolences for your loss.
    I played a few rounds of golf with Muff and John,had a lot of fun watching them compete.
    Muff will be missed. RIP

  4. Certainly a Man of the Greatest Generation.

  5. Elaine Strong says:

    My thoughts and prayers from the Strong family. Many happy memories of Muff and Riffraff.

  6. Anthony Everidge says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you today. I learned many things from Muff. I will smile and think fondly of the memories from over the years.

  7. Marion Payne says:

    Good people and glad to have known both of them. Life lived well.

  8. Evelyn cornell says:

    As an employee of Maurice Lebowitz (west side auto) I had the opportunity to know Muff. He was a great person and horseman and always treated others with respect. He will be missed.

  9. Jim Willig says:

    I feel a great sense of loss for myself and the entire Hudson Falls community on the passing of my friend Muff. He and his brother John were my golfing partners every Sunday for many years at the McGregor course in Saratoga. As in all sports Muff could “bring it”. My 40 plus years as player, coach, and GM of the Greejackets football team caused our paths to cross many times. He was as stated a fantastic football official and even coached the team for several years. There is no one I ever respected, associated with, or knew that I respected more. Rest in peace my friend, you ran a great race. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Muff’s family. Jim Willig, Sierra Vista, AZ

  10. Beth Merrill says:

    Sincere condolences to the Nassivera family from the Merrill family.

  11. Beth Merrill says:

    Muff and Anne were the best man and matron of honor at my parents wedding after WWII, and the friendship of these good people was greatly appreciated.

  12. M Jones says:

    I am sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. I hope the family will find some comfort and strength in Jesus promise of the earthly resurrection(Acts 24:15)and the renewed Paradise earth, where death will be no more and no family will mourn the death of a loved one.-Revelation 21:3,4;John 5:28,29;Luke 23:43. may GOD(Psalms 83:18)grant you peace and comfort now, during this grievous time.-Matthew 5:4.

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