Russell Nelson

Russell H. Nelson, 93, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2009 in his home in Wakefield surrounded by loving family.

Mr. Nelson was the third of eight children born to Edith and Emery Nelson on May 31, 1916, in Gloucester.

Married for many years to the former Priscilla Maddix Southwick, the two raised four children in Wakefield. Mr. Nelson is survived by his daughter Joan Low and her spouse Robert Low of Gloucester, his son Eric and his spouse Nancy (Beyer) Nelson of Topsfield, his daughter Deborah and her spouse Ingrid Johnson of Ipswich, and his son Dana and his spouse Barbara Loftus Nelson of Rowley. Mr. Nelson is also survived by six loving grandchildren Caitlin Marie Merrill and her husband David Joshua Merrill of South Hamilton, Erica Jane Mann and her husband Jason Mann of Fredericksburg, VA, Sarah Emily and David Norman Nelson of Rowley, and Vanny Ann and Linh Vyann Nelson of Ipswich. He leaves behind his much beloved long-term partner in life, Joyce Marie Driscoll and her children Christine Driscoll of Essex and Peter Driscoll of Maine. He is also survived by his dear sister, Barbara Checchi of Beverly and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Nelson was predeceased by brothers Earl, John, Frederick, Emery Jr., and sisters Anna Cram and Alice Dunton.

Mr. Nelson is a celebrated veteran of World War II. He saw action in a number of battles in the Pacific including Iwo Shima and was part of the amphibious tank assault that was instrumental in taking the island of Leyte. Also a graduate of Boston University, Mr. Nelson taught English and history in the Wakefield public schools for over 30 years. His first assignment was as the first male teacher at the Lincoln School, having been hired to teach a sixth grade class of 40 children. He also taught at the Atwell Jr. High School and later at the Jr. High on Farm Street. After his teaching career, he became the school system's first adjustment/guidance counselor, helping many children and families over the years. He and his wife Priscilla also started and ran the Wakefield Auto School for ten years. Mr. Nelson will be remembered for his keen wit and sense of humor, for his love of boating, fishing and the Essex River, for his love of chess, and for his abiding love for and pride in his four children and grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Nelson's long and wonderful life will be held at the Chapel of the First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield on Saturday, October 24 at 11:30 AM. Graveside services in Essex will be private. Because he was such a strong proponent of education, in lieu of flowers, donations to a scholarship in Mr. Nelson's name may be made to the Citizen's Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, PO Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880 (www.csfofwakefield.org). Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield. www.mcdonaldfs.com




Read Russell Nelson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Service

First Parish Congregational
1 Church Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 11:30 AM