Obituary of John M. Nelson

John M. Nelson, 88, of the Frewsburg Rest Home, formerly of 409 Prospect St. Jamestown, NY, passed away at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, with his loving family by his side. An area resident for most of his life, he was born August 2, 1925 in Providence, Rhode Island, a son of the late Albert and Muriel Bennett Nelson. He moved to Falconer, NY in 1927, was a graduate of Falconer High School in 1943, and attended trade school where he learned the art of plastering. John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from October 25, 1943 to April 6, 1946 during World War II., aboard the USS Alaska. During his tour of duty he received the American Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with two stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Before his retirement, he was a plastering and masonry contractor in the Jamestown area for many years. Along with his brother Charles, they owned Nelsons Brothers Plastering Contractors Inc. They plastered many homes and public buildings in New York and Pennsylvania. He was still receiving praises today from people expressing appreciation for the quality of their workmanship. His most prized accomplishment was building his own home on Prospect St. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, the Henry Mosher Post 638, American Legion Falconer, of which he was the oldest living past commander, the War Vets Recreation Club, a life member of the John W. Tiffany Post 53, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Jamestown Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 63, where he volunteered with the special Olympics and bingo. He was a former member of the South Hills Country Club, the Maplehurst Country Club, and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Local 40. John will always be remembered as a very loving husband, father, and grandfather who was a hardworking man and lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed spending time with his family at their camp, "The Little Stuga", in Gerry, NY. He also enjoyed spending winter months with his wife Lillian and family in Myrtle Beach, SC and Phoenix, AZ, and taking his family to Disney World and on a Caribbean Cruise. John was frequently seen driving his grandchildren in his red, 1975 Chevy convertible and driving in the Jamestown Memorial Day parade. In his earlier years he was an avid bowler and later developed a love of golf, which he shared with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed the years he played in the Italian American Golf Tournament. His other interests included playing the game of cribbage and taking his day trips to the casino to play Texas Holdem. Surviving are two daughters Lynnette D. Sigrist of East Amherst, NY, JoAnn R. Nelson of Bemus Point, NY, three sons Gary J. Nelson of Prescott, AZ, John C. (Mary) Nelson of Jamestown, Todd R. (Jennifer) Nelson of West Ellicott, ten grandchildren, Shawn (Laura) Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Gary Nelson, Amber Nelson all of AZ, Emmalynn Sigrist of Phil. PA, Benjamin Nelson of Rochester, NY, Joshua Nelson of West Ellicott, Zachariah Nelson of Virginia Beach, VA, John C. Nelson, Jr. of Jamestown, Lily Nelson of West Ellicott, three great grandchildren, Holly, Megan and Devon Nelson all of AZ, and a brother Charles Nelson of Jamestown. He was preceded in death by his wife the former Lillian E. Carlson Nelson whom he married November 29, 1947 and who died October 14, 1998 The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel Nagle, pastor of the First Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 3-5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to the Disabled American Veterans, Robert P. Illig Chapter 47, P.O. Box 189, Jamestown, NY 14702-0189 or to the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St. Jamestown, NY 14701.