Nathan Leighton Beardsley

Life Legacy
WEST BOYLSTON - Nathan L. Beardsley, 88, passed away peacefully at Sterling Village, Sterling, surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, after an illness.  Nate was born on September 11, 1928, in Holden, the son of Paul and Theresa (Leighton) Beardsley. Nate was raised on Wachusett Meadow Farm in Princeton, where he and his family raised prize bulls and milking shorthorns, and where he learned his strong work ethic. He attended Princeton schools, graduated from Cushing Academy, and followed in his father’s footsteps to the University of Connecticut, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Rather than dwelling on the war, Nate’s fondest memories of that experience were of the warm Korean people.  Nate became an educator in Worcester, Sterling, West Boylston, and Wachusett Regional before leaving to attend baseball umpiring school and becoming a minor league umpire in a sport that he truly loved.  Nate met his wife Leila (Lee) Armstrong while umpiring in the Northern League in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They had a whirlwind courtship, and were married six months later in August of 1959.  Nate and Lee settled in Lancaster and then West Boylston (Oakdale), where he lived until his death. They had four children: Romney, Don, Terri, and Andy. Their household was characterized by lots of hard work, life lessons, and an abundance of fun. It became a gathering place for all of the children’s friends, who grew to love and respect Nate because of his ability to let kids be kids. The family also traveled in their camper to Canada to visit family, to Florida for Christmas, and to summer vacations in Wells, Maine. Nate’s enjoyment and love for his kids and grandkids was overwhelming. Nate had the same love for his many nieces and nephews that he had for his own kids. After leaving minor league umpiring, Nate resumed his career in education at Nashoba Regional High School where he taught math for 18 years and served as department head until retiring in 1981. In the classroom, Mr. Beardsley was known for being a strict teacher whom many students came to love. His friendships with former students lasted a lifetime.  In addition to teaching, Nate coached basketball at Nashoba, and resumed officiating high school football, basketball, and baseball, as well as ECAC conference college baseball. He made many friends in the Sunday morning Worcester Parks Football League. After “retirement,” Nate went on to continue his career as a house painter, roofer, and general contractor, making more new friends along the way. After completing every job, Nate would exclaim that he had just met “the nicest lady I’ve ever worked for.” Nate loved to talk: he would never shy away from a discussion or debate, and would always part as friends regardless of politics. An avid sports fan and participant, Nate loved playing recreational golf with all “the boys.” He also enjoyed his annual winter trips to Florida with Donny and Dale, and later with Lee, for fun and sun. Nate will be forever missed by his beloved wife of 58 years, Leila P. (Armstrong) Beardsley; his daughters, Romney L. Sloan and her husband William of West Boylston, and Terri S. Beardsley of Quincy; his son, Andrew A. Beardsley and his wife, Erin of West Boylston; and his daughter-in-law, Susan Beardsley of Essex; a sister, Marjorie Kneeland of Meadville, PA; his eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Kyle and Kendra Sloan, Hannah, John, Jennifer, and Bobby Beardsley, Paul Beardsley and his wife, Joanne, Tyler Griffin and his husband, Brian, and Connor and Beau Beardsley; and a great-grandson, Aidan Beardsley.  In addition to his parents, Nate is predeceased by his son, Donald Nathan Beardsley in 2015, and his sister, Charlotte Gage.  Relatives and friends are invited to join Nate’s family for calling hours from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, July 15th followed by a funeral service at 12 noon at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Burial will follow at High Plains Cemetery, West Boylston (Oakdale). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752, or online at www.specialolympicsma.orgTo share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.