Roland Austin Nace

ROLAND A. NACE, 83, of Pittsburgh, went into the arms of his Heavenly Father February 6, 2021.

Born Aug. 2, 1937, in Media, Pa., to Clara (Durboraw) and Roland L. Nace, Roland is survived by his two children, Cyndi Nace (Michael Tarutis) of Venice, Fla., and Carl (Lauren) Nace of Littlestown, Pa., and their children, Austin (Kelsey), Connor, and Allyson, sisters Edith Coe of Media, Pa., and Trudy MacQueen of Wilmington, N.C., and 10 nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Lillian (Wolfrum) Nace, his parents, and his sister Nancy Nace.

Roland will long be remembered as the founder of the Cornhole/beanbag games at Providence Point, where he happily resided since 2009. After years of hosting lively beanbag parties at his home in Lower Burrell, Pa., he couldn’t wait to share the game in his active senior-living community, where his memory will live on as the beanbags continue to fly.

Though his degree from Grove City College was in accounting, it didn’t take long for Peoples Natural Gas Company to realize that this likeable man with the twinkle in his eyes and valuable public-speaking skills needed to come out from behind the desk and shine in the sales-and-marketing department.  After 33-1/2 years, Roland retired and devoted his time to running Naces All Sports Trophy & Engraving Company with his wife, Lil, serving as elder at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, and having tractor races with Lil while mowing the 25 acres on their daughter’s horse farm in Washington, Pa.

His cross-country running skills earned him letters in both high school and college, where he was captain of the track team and president of the Athletic Council. He was fast, but he didn’t run away when there was an opportunity to serve.  After serving as a member of the U.S. Air Force and the Pa. Air National Guard, he went on to serve as president of the Tri-City Jaycees, director of annual giving and president of the Alle-Kiski alumni chapter of Grove City College, and member of the New Kensington Lions, the N.K. Planning Commission, the N.K. VFW Post 92, Bethel Lodge No. 789, the Syria Shrine, the StrongLand Chamber of Commerce, and, most recently, the Recreation Committee at Providence Point.

One of his most treasured possessions was his Lowrey organ, on which he loved to play “Happy Birthday” to friends and family. The wreath on his door said “May all who enter leave with music in your hearts”.

Covid-conscious visitation will take place Sunday, February 21, 1-5 p.m. with memorial service at 3 p.m. at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 222 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA  15216.  Shuttle service for Providence Point residents will be provided. Donations in Roland’s memory can be made to the National MS Society, 1501 Reedsdale Street, Suite 105, Pittsburgh, PA  15233 or online at https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Roland-A-Nace-Memorials.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roland Austin Nace, please visit our floral store.