I confess that I have come to that point in life where I view the obituaries with some regularity. The name Nick Nail rang a bell, but it took a while to figure out why. On a hunch, I visited the webpage listing NMMS' history and found Nick's name included in the club's earlier years. Nick Nail was President of the New Mexico Mycological Society in 1987. Other than that I don't know anything about his history with amateur mycology or mushrooming. His published obituary states that he was a member of the "National Mushroom Society." I'm not sure what that is--perhaps NAMA. Below is the obituary published in the Albuquerque Journal on 2o16-o4-o1.
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Nick William Nail : 1940-2016
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Nick William Nail was born March 8, 1940 in Terlton, Oklahoma to H. Hadley and Katherine Nail. He passed away March 29, 2016 at his home in Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Pamela Ethridge, and an infant brother. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Nail of Albuquerque, her children Alexander Pi and Olivia Nail-Beatty; daughter Nikayla Nail Thomas and her husband Aaron of Houston, their children Jackie and Berent Thomas; sister Kay Dahl and husband John of Albuquerque; nephew Dr. Brett Sherry of Boston; niece Alixana Buvinghausen and husband Robert of Devine, Texas; and their children Jordan and TJ Buvinghausen.

Nick was a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, moving here at age three. He attended Monte Vista Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and graduated from Highland High School in 1957. He attended UNM before being drafted into the Army. After being Honorably Discharged, he returned to Albuquerque, where he became a researcher for New Mexico Title Company. He later moved to First American Title Company, becoming Vice President. During this time, he married Mary Ellen Butler and had his precious daughters.

Nick embraced his Cherokee Indian blood and was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He was editor of the Albuquerque Cherokee Township Newsletter as well as a council member. He was a member of the Rio Grande Sailing Club, New Mexico Faceters Guild, National Mushroom Society, and he attended the Cherokee Holiday in Tahlequah every Labor Day for many years.

His family and friends will always remember his easy smile and quick laugh. He was a warm and welcoming man. He honored all of nature, and especially loved God's creatures.

Gravesite services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2 at Fairview Memorial Park. To leave a condolence, visit danielsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to animalhumanenm.org
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MycoWest.net/biobits/nicknail.htm
dmw . 2o16-o4-o1