George Nahas, of Nahas Rug Company on Hempstead Turnpike, contacted Brian Barry and informed him that he would pay for the remainder of the cost to purchase the headstone for Josh Brandon, a Port Washington native who died in November of 2005. Brandon, who died suddenly at age 50, was a musician and friend to many in the West Hempstead community, but was the last surviving member of his family line.
Barry, raised the funds and pursued all the legal permission to bury Brandon at the Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Brandon's hometown of Port Washington, beside the remains of his parents, but came up short in funds for the headstone.
Nahas, whose family has been in business in West Hempstead since 1950, was so moved by the article that he contacted Barry and offered the remaining balance to purchase the marker. Nahas will be presenting a check to Barry this week. According to the cemetery management, Barry will need to pursue further legal permission in order to have the grave marker placed on the plot where Brandon is interred.
