Obituary of John Nelson

John Daniel Nelson passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York on February 21, 2012 surrounded by his family after a long dignified struggle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. He was the son of Clarence and Josephine Dodd Nelson born on April 1, 1929. He attended Arlington High School where he held class officer positions including several years as class president. He played varsity baseball and basketball. John was voted most thoughtful in High School and his exemplary kindness marked his life. He joined the New York Telephone Company in 1948 where he worked for 44 years and never missed a days work. He attained the position of Senior and Distinguished Engineer and attended extensive Engineering classes at West Point sponsored by the New York Telephone Company. He was recognized for his leadership roles and exceptional contribution as well as his engineering designs in groundbreaking fiber optic technology. He married on October 21, 1951 his beloved wife Patricia Eagen and predicted on their first date in 1946 that he would marry her. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a marriage based on mutual respect and unwavering love and commitment. His legacy is his loving son John D. Nelson, Jr. and his wife Elaine and his grandsons John D. Nelson III and Brian A. Nelson of Cary, North Carolina and his devoted daughter Kathleen Nelson Preli and her husband John J. Preli of Ridgfield, Connecticut. He was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie who told his children to live the Golden Rule and a life of integrity and honor. He served in the national Guard, and was president of the Little League Association, President of the civic association, a member of the New York Telephone Company Pioneers, and a former member of the New York Telephone Company Golf League. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters and brothers, Catherine Deissinger, Florence Holleran, Donald Nelson and Martin Nelson. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family expresses special thanks to his caregivers who allowed him to remain at home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday February 24 at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie with interment at St. Peter's Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 9:30-10:30am at the Timothy P, Doyle Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie on February 24 prior to the mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. If you need directions or would like to leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com.