PRESQUE ISLE – Roland A. Nelson, 84, died peacefully May 26, 2006, surrounded by his family, at a local hospital. He was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Van Buren, to Ernest and Alice (Dutcher) Nelson. He graduated from Van Buren Boys School in 1939 and spent two years at Husson College. He was drafted into World War II in 1942, into the U.S. Army/Air Corps. Before going overseas, he attended the University of Minnesota. He then spent the next three years fighting for his country, flying 58 missions over Europe. Upon returning home, he married Jessie Mae “Teddy” Roberts. They settled in Bangor for several years while he was employed by Northeast Airlines and the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad as a chief clerk at the Graham Building. Upon returning to Presque Isle, he was employed by Cyr’s Appliance as an accountant and eventually went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1950, retiring in 1979, as an assistant postmaster. He enjoyed spending much of his time at his cottage at Portage Lake which he, his family, and friends built. In recent years, he enjoyed spending time with his two great-grandchildren, Erica and Alex. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jessie Mae “Teddy”; a daughter, Bonnie; a granddaughter, Kelly and her husband, Eric Hemphill, all of Presque Isle; two grandsons, John Dow and his wife, Jeannie Walter, of Augusta and Douglas Dow and his friend, Jennifer Noonan, of New York City, N.Y.; two special great-grandchildren, Erica and Alexander Hemphill, to whom he was affectionately know as “Pop”; one sister, Mazzie Goin of Schurtz, Texas; and her two sons, Glenn and Stephen; nieces, Chance Duprey and her husband, Brian, Dolores Hutchins, all of Presque Isle and Jessica McClintock of San Francisco, Calif. along with several other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Edwin Nelson. Calling hours will be held noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the Church of Jesus, Chapman Street, Presque Isle with funeral services immediately after 2 p.m. with Pastor Earle Durost officiating. Interment will be at the Fairmount Cemetery. Because Bud was a strong believer in education, his family is requesting that donations be made at the church or directly to the family to go towards his great-grandchildren’s college fund. Arrangements are in the care of the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home.