M. Paul Nestor's Obituary
January 14, 1931- January 2, 2022
M. Paul Nestor died with his family at his side on January 2, 2022 at the age of 90.
Paul was born in Parsons, WV on January 14, 1931 to Minor and Mattie Nestor.
His strong work ethic started young when as a boy he held jobs cleaning the Parsons Post Office and delivering newspapers. Even a bitter snowstorm could not stop this 10 year old from delivering the papers up Quality Hill. He was also quite an entrepreneur trapping muskrats to sell the pelts to the Sears catalogue.
Paul attended Parsons High School (’48) and continued his athletic interests by playing football and basketball on scholarship at Potomac State College then was recruited to the University of Maryland (UMD) on scholarship to play football (’51-’53) for Jim Tatum during UMD’s glory years. The undefeated ’51 team beat number one ranked Tennessee in the 1952 Sugar Bowl and played a role in the formation of the ACC. Paul (No. 19) was a left defensive end and the ’51 team included three shut outs. Most of the ’51 team played in the NFL and several went on to coach there. Paul was drafted by the Chicago Bears and wrangled a trade to the Baltimore Colts so that he could attend UMD dental school (BCDS), until the dean found out and gave him an ultimatum: football or dentistry.
Through an interview for the University of Maryland newspaper, “The Diamondback,” he met his future wife, Mabelle Beck. They married on May 30, 1953 and settled in Baltimore for Paul to go to dental school. His wife worked at Baltimore Gas and Light and he sold Wearever cookware door-to-door.
After graduation they moved to Niagara Falls, NY where he served two years as a dentist for the Air Force fulfilling his ROTC commitment.
In 1959 the family moved to Tampa, FL with their infant daughter Laura.
The young couple made a life together and two more children followed, daughter Mabelle in 1960 and son Paul in 1963.
Paul had a heart for children and youth. As a college football player he would spend time at home to encourage and play ball with Parson’s youth. This desire to mentor and train youngsters continued as a family man when he coached football and baseball for many years to Tampa’s youth. Even after his son aged out, he continued supporting the community as a coach and chauffeur to many kids who had no transportation to practice.
Paul loved his work as a dentist and continued in the field for 62 years until the age of 87! Many dentists over the years have commented on his craftmanship and care when they have received his patients. He was an ethical professional and avid learner who loved dentistry. He served the community in the free dental clinic in Tampa and served as President of the Hillsborough County Dental Association, and the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics. Later in his career he was awarded a fellowship in the International College of Dentists. A believer in continuing education, in the mid-1980’s he attended a monthly three-year fellowship program at the University of Florida. In his quest to share his love of dentistry and offer opportunity to others he worked with the local high school’s work study program. He hired and taught many a young student in the dental profession. Some went on to become hygienists, dental assistants, and lab technicians/owners. On the family front his son Paul became quite the craftsman with his own dental lab, nephew Joe Dotson a dentist, and niece Anne Nolin a hygienist.
While frugal with himself, he was generous toward people and organizations. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mabelle B. Nestor, and children, Laura Nestor Lynch (Jay), Mabelle Nestor Thomas (Curtis), Paul D. Nestor, and grandchildren, Jonathan Lynch (Amanda), Elizabeth Lynch, David Lynch, Michael Lynch, John Thomas, and Quinn Thomas and three great-grandsons, Nick, Noah, and Nathan Lynch. He was preceded in death by three older sisters, Mary George, Marjorie Carr, and Grace Dotson, and one younger brother, Donald Nestor. Numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews remain.
In a letter to his children in March of 2019, Paul wrote about being raised in the Great Depression and the importance distinguishing between needs and wants. He writes, “It is nice to have a rainy-day fund but if you want to have real security and freedom in life, it is found with God through Jesus Christ! Through the Scriptures and worship we have the examples for guidance on how we should live our lives and our relationship with other human beings.” He loved the motto of John Wesley, founder of Methodism: Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.
A memorial service will be held at Grace at Ft. Clarke, 9325 West Newberry Rd, Gainesville FL, 32606 on Saturday, January 15 at noon. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville FL, 32606 (beyourhaven.org) or a charity of your choice.
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