John R. Nelson

John R. Nelson, 77, beloved Son, Brother, Husband, Father and Grandfather, died at home in Leland, NC on February 9, 2021 from an intense dislike of Cancer.  John is reunited with his loving Wife, Judith Ann, who has been waiting patiently for 17 years.

Born in Boston and a resident of Massachusetts (Summers in New Hampshire) for 62 years, with another 9 in Palm Harbor, FL and 6 in Leland on his Grand Tour of Life.  He worked at Waters Corp for 30 years and became an acclaimed (yet still remarkably humble) VP of Research and Development.  John also worked on the optics for the 1976 Mars Viking Lander, joining the select club of those who’ve left their handiwork on another planet.

He traveled the World; rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, Kayaking Alaskan inlets and Glacial Dog Sledding, exploring African savannas, visiting Polar Bears on the Canadian tundra, and cruising the Caribbean many times (just to be thorough), during a noble quest for the perfect Sunset.

But his Greatest Achievement and Adventure was creating an amazing Lifetime of Memories with his unique and loving family.

All are invited to attend his visitation on Thursday, February 18, 2021 from  4-7pm at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St, Hudson, MA 01749.  His Mass of Christian burial is Friday, February 19, 2021 at 9am at Saint Michael Parish, 23 Manning St, Hudson, MA 01749 followed by burial in St. Michael Cemetery, Hudson, MA.  For those who are unable to attend his funeral Mass in person, you can attend remotely with this link: https://stmikes.org/watch-mass-live

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (mdsc.org) and Smiletrain.org.