GILFORD ---- Bruce Nelson, 80, of Gilford, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction, VT.
Bruce was born to Andrew W. and Doris (Milliken) Nelson, on July 2, 1943 in an area known as “Little Canada” in Lakeport, NH.
Upon graduating from Laconia High School, Bruce served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he married Norma Read of Northfield, NH and raised two children; Jennifer Leigh Nelson, now residing in Duluth, GA, and David Aaron Nelson of Gilford, NH.
Bruce worked at the local IGA grocery store, at Achber’s Department Store in Tilton, and then became known by many as the man who fitted you for your new school shoes at Melnick's shoe store in downtown Laconia. He furthered his education at Laconia Technical College and continued a family tradition of completing yearly tax returns for many local residents and friends.
An avid sports fan, Bruce was a bowler, a golfer and vigorously cheered on his New England sports teams from home. He held weekly beer tastings with his buddies in “Nelly’s Pub”, his cellar man cave, every “Wicked Wet Wednesday”, and enjoyed traveling the country with friends for a ball game and a pint.
Later in life Bruce resided in Lakeport, NH with his dear friend and companion Alice Milliken, where he loved sitting in his yard watching the wildlife, enjoying nature and listening to “Oldies but Goodies” music. He then moved in with his son David and wife Jennifer prior to Ali’s passing in 2022.
He is survived by his children David Nelson and Jennifer Nelson, sisters Dorothy Duffy of Laconia and Judith Nelson of Lakeport, brother Stephen (Rick) Nelson and his wife Rosalie of White River Junction, VT, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bruce was predeceased by brothers Peter Nelson and Andrew Nelson III and sisters Susanna Laurier, Sarah Nelson Barber and Patricia Appelman.
Calling Hours will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 10:00am-12:00pm, in the carriage house at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Private Burial will take place at Bayside Cemetery in Laconia.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.