Donald R. Nelson Sr., 95, of Sullivan County Nursing Home in Unity, formerly of Langdon and Winchester, New Hampshire, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018. He was born May 24, 1922, in Baldwinville, Massachusetts, to Harry and Mary (Merrifield) Nelson. He was the middle of nine children and had a big part in supporting his family.
In 1941 he joined the U.S. Army. He served in Europe during World War II and received his Purple Heart on the beach in Normandy and was discharged in 1943.
He married his beloved wife Nancy (Clark) in 1964 and they spent 36 years together until she was taken by cancer in 2000. He was born in an era when respect was demanded and this was evident in the way he expected children to be raised. From hard lessons learned to fun family vacations in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, to weekend trips to the ocean to Sunday family days with a “big dinner” and an afternoon nap in the sun with his “Sunday sleeping music” playing in the background. He was a great father. He also enjoyed cooking and gardening both flowers and vegetables and was always more than willing to share his wealth of knowledge with others.
He is survived by his companion of 15 years, Eleanor Dulong of Langdon; son Donald R. Nelson Jr. and his wife, Pamela (Wood) of Bernardston, Massachusetts; daughters Carla and her husband, Eric Foster of Winchester, Chelly M. and her husband, Carl Downing of Keene; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister Dorothy (Dot) Buffum of Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three brothers and four sisters; grandson Donald Downing Freyenhagen; wife Nancy C. Nelson; and daughter Casandra Lee Dicey.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Charlestown Memorial Chapel. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Charlestown Memorial Chapel. A reception will be held at noon following the service at the Charlestown VFW on Lovers Lane Road. A graveside service with military honors will be at 2:30 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Winchester, New Hampshire.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sullivan County Nursing Home Activity Center, 5 Nursing Home Drive, Unity, NH 03743.
Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com
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