Obituary: George Carl Nelson

Obituary from Nichols Funeral Home

George Carl Nelson, fondly known as Dad, “Pop, Pop & Uncle George” to his family and friends, a 60 year resident of Wilmington and formerly of Waltham, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Jan. 28, 2015.

Born in Newton on February 5 1927, in Newton he was the son of the late Karl Helgar Emanuel Nelson (Nilsson) of Naltorp Sweden and Lila (Berry) Nelson and brother of predeceased Phyllis Girolamo.

George is survived by his Wife of 67 years Mary M. (Thompson) Nelson, loving father of Alan Nelson & his wife Patricia, Roger & his wife Kimberly, Gary Nelson & his wife Lisa and Mark Nelson, all of Wilmington, grandfather of Nicole and her husband Phil Little, Eirik & his wife Kelly Jo Nelson, Lindsy and her husband Robbie Hines, Beth and her husband Daren Pellegrino, Heidi & her husband Dana Gutride, Tyler & his wife Jasmine Nelson and Kristen & her husband Randy McAdams, great-grandfather of Elijah & Scarlett Gutride, son of the late Carl & Lila Nelson and brother of the late Phyllis Girolamo.

George grew up in Waltham and later attended UNH, Norwich & UVM.

During World War II, George volunteered for the United States Army Air Force on July 8, 1943. He served in pacific as a Sergeant in the 20th Army Air Force Base Unit of B?29’s stationed on Guam.

Upon his return from the Army, George married his “sweetheart” Mary Martina Thompson (Gilmour Appeldorn) in 1947. The couple shared 67 years together and raised a beautiful family at their home in Wilmington for nearly 60 years. A brilliant Engineer, George worked as Chief Electrical Engineer for Fay Spofford & Thorndike (FST) for over 63 years, retiring just this past year.

Volunteering, he donated his skills to help build several homes for family, Kingdom Halls and an Assembly Hall in Natick.

His love of Sports found him taking up tennis, hockey, skiing and even skydiving. He enjoyed attending Boston Red Sox games to watch Ted Williams play. George even created a Saturday night semi pro hockey team and became the first President of Pop Warner football in Wilmington. He was known to be an AVID Boston Patriots, George, Mary and family watched every game from the Pats inception.

Though “tough as nails,” a generous compassionate man. What mattered most to George was family. He was a dedicated loyal husband, devoted father, and a loving grandfather.

Whether having a cookout at the family homestead or a family trip to the beach, George loved to be surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He cherished the time spent with family and was very proud of all of their accomplishments. He will be greatly missed by all.

Family and friends will gather for a funeral service at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, Feb. 5 (88 Years to the day from his birth) at 11 a.m. Interment to follow in Wildwood Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 4-8 p.m.