HUDSON 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.
