September 13, 2017
Nunes, Geoffrey
Geoffrey Nunes passed away peacefully on September 10, 2017. He is survived by his wife of59 years, Clare Nunes, and his three children: Geoffrey Jr., Jake, and Maggie, as well as seven grandchildren: Ada, Emmett, Nicole, Hadleigh, Alex, Samantha, and Claudia.Geoff was born in New York City on July 7, 1930. His family moved to Westchester county when he was young. He graduated from New Rochelle High School and entered Princeton University with the class of 1952. Upon graduating, he served two years with the U.S. Navy before attending Harvard Law School, After graduation in 1958 he moved back to New York City where he worked for two different law firms. More importantly, he met, fell in love with, and married Clare Harwood.
In 1966 Geoff and his family of five left New York City and moved to Princeton, New Jersey where Geoff began work as general counsel to Lenox China and Crystal in Trenton, New Jersey. In 1976 he was recruited by the Millipore Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts to serve as their general counsel, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. Geoff also served on Reebok Corporation’s board of directors for several years.
Upon his retirement, he and Clare, who were already avid travelers, picked up the pace considerably. Their journeys took them to China, Cambodia, Africa, Alaska, and Peru, among other destinations. The couple’s philanthropic interests led to a long-term support for the local theater company, the Actors’ Shakespeare Project. After being introduced to the troupe through one of Clare’s former students at Concord Academy, Geoff became a passionate supporter of their productions and served on their board for many years. He also served on the boards of the New England Conservatory and Boston Biomedical Associates.
Geoff was a big man, both physically and in terms of his presence, with a sometimes gruff exterior but always a warm and compassionate center. He was a caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. So many of us benefitted from his wisdom and his generosity. His passing is a great loss, but we are thankful to have had him in our lives.
A service and reception will be held in Harvard’s Loeb House at four o’clock in the afternoon on September 30. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Actors Shakespeare Project, 191 Highland Avenue, Suite 2B, Somerville, MA 02143 (actorsshakespeareproject.org).
Comments(6)
We are desolate to hear of the loss of our dear long-time friend. Please let us know when the memorial service is scheduled because we will be there is at all possible.
Our condolences to Clare, Maggie, Geoff Jr. and Jake. We shall all miss him terribly.
Penny and Bob Thomas
My sincere condolences to Clare, their children and grandchildren. Jeff was a true gentleman. . .he did not have a mean bone in his body. Good night sweet Geoffrey may flights of angels guide thee to thy rest!
To the Nunes Family
So sorry to hear the lost of your Husband and father I did the delivery for them
KMK Cleaners
a great enthuiast of the game of bridge !
On behalf of members of the Board of Trustees of Boston Biomedical Research Institute, I offer our deep condolences on Geoff’s passing to his entire family. I served with Geoff for many years as a Trustee of BBRI, and greatly enjoyed his keen insight, lack of pretension and ability to get to the heart of the matter with alacrity. His directness, which was delivered with humility and gruff good humor, was both refreshing and galvanizing. In short, he mattered.
Geoff will live on through the lives of those he touched. The world is better off for his having been among us, but we will miss him.
Jake Layton
Dear Clare,
My condolences to you and your family. I only met Geoff once at a CA fundraiser in the late 90’s, but I recall the easy wit and visible fondness for you.
I read of his passing this evening in the CA fall magazine, and feel sympathy bite through the years and miles. I hope to see you again soon, perhaps at our reunion, or my next trip back to Boston.
You’ll be pleased to know I put down the glass menagerie to write you.
Warm regards from New Orleans,
-Eli Feinstein.
Eli.m.feinstein@gmail.com