Herbert S. Nagle February 24, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herbert Nagle at the age of 95. Herb was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.

Herb was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 19^th, 1929 to Ida (Belitsky) Nagle and William Nagle.  The family lived in a single family home on East Crescent Street and later moved to Prospect Street.

Herb absolutely loved Brockton and was well known to many throughout the city. Some called him “The Mayor” and in many ways he was Brockton, a man with immigrant parents coming to the shores to make a new life. He was an admired athlete who went on to own a shoe factory and employ many immigrants throughout the city. Herb was extremely proud of his Brockton roots. He adored talking to people and exuded a warmth that drew them to him. Anyone who knew Herb would smile the minute he arrived. He cared so much for others and was truly interested in getting to know them. It is impossible to encapsulate all that he did and the impact he had on the city he loved.

Herb took over Victory Shoe Company from his father. At any given time, the factory employed anywhere from 150 to 200 employees. Nearly all of these people were new to this country, trying to find their place and feed their families. Those that worked in the factory were like family to him. He knew all their names and everything about them. When the factory inevitably closed in 1969 as manufacturing went overseas, his job changed from running the business, to finding jobs for everyone who was now out of work. He always held himself to a standard that he would never hold anyone else to.

Herb was a tremendous athlete. One of the proudest moments of his life was when he was inducted into the Brockton High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was captain of the baseball and basketball team for Brockton High School, winning a state championship in the latter. His high school coach even recommended he try out for the Boston Celtics…that may have been over the top, but in Brockton he was a sports legend. After high school, he played on an all-star baseball team for the United States Army. He also went on to play for his alma mater, Colby College. Colby meant a lot to Herb and he was honored to serve as president of his class’s 50^th reunion.  Herb made many life-long friends at Colby.  Later, Herb played competitive tennis and volleyball. Our home was full of silver bowls he had won with his name on them. His wife Judy would have been thrilled except she had to polish all of them. He also loved sports as a spectator. It was not uncommon for Herb to be late coming home because he stopped to watch a Brockton High School sporting event or even a pick-up game of basketball.

Herb was someone who felt it was important to get involved and contribute. He was on every committee and board because he wanted to make a difference. To name just a few of his credits, he was President of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA), a member of the Rotary Club and did a lot of work for the United Way. He was also a board member of the Crescent Credit Union for over 50 years and was eventually honored with the position of Chairman of the Board, a position he loved. He attended fundraisers for the Boys & Girls Club of America and was also active at the Brockton YMCA. The YMCA even gave Herb his own chair where he would enjoy his “workout” otherwise known as a nap.

Most of all, he loved his life partner Judy (Tuck) Nagle, his rock, his everything. Judy was his anchor, his sun and moon. Together, they set an example for their children showing what a real marriage is all about: the give and take and the unconditional love that has no end. Life was always going to be full of challenges, but they were manageable because they had each other. In Herb’s later years, Judy devoted herself to caring for him through his diminishing health.

Herb will be missed by many and leaves behind his loving and cherished wife of 67 years, Judy Nagle, three devoted children, Gary Nagle (Mindy), Jimmy Nagle (Cheryl) and Jennifer VanDyke; five grandchildren, Dara Reidinger (Matt), Liana LaBarre (Barry), Julia Krowiak (Zack), Erica Wingenroth (Evan) and Ben Nagle (Casey Murphy); six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ryan, Travis, Nola, Milo and Isla. In addition, Herb will be missed by his dear nephew, Owen Lieber his brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Tuck, and many other nieces and nephews . Herb was predeceased by his brother Louie Nagle and his sisters Rose Richman and Sara Lieber.

The burial service will be private. Those who knew Herb are invited to express their condolences at the Nagle house in Bridgewater between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm, Thursday, February 27^th

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

Beacon Hospice

182 North Main Street

Fall River, MA 02720