FORT FAIRIFELD – Ralph F. Nelson, 82, passed away Friday evening, May 21, 2010, at a Fort Kent health care facility, after a brief illness. He was born April 10, 1928, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Frank A. and Mary R. (Rochford) Nelson. He attended Fort Fairfield schools and was a lifelong communicant of Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield. He had been employed by the Maine Department of Agriculture for 31 years as a potato inspector, finishing his career as a Maine state supervisor in the Tablestock Potato Division, retiring in 1986. Ralph was an avid golfer and cribbage player. He was also an experienced outdoorsman who greatly enjoyed hunting and camping in the Oxbow. Ralph greatly enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, and as a young man, Ralph was a member of Fort Fairfield Junior Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his parents, Ralph was predeceased by one son, Robert P. Nelson, Sept. 27, 1972; one grandson, Scott Nelson, October 1989; two brothers, Lawrence and Philip “Bud” Nelson; and one sister, Marion Reed. He is survived by three sons, Ronald D. Nelson of Mapleton, Michael A. Nelson of Caribou and Keith F. Nelson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one daughter, Catherine “Kitty” Nelson of Phoenix; three brothers, Peter Nelson of Colorado Springs, Colo., John Nelson and Kenneth “Pat” Nelson, both of Fort Fairfield; one sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Gary Smith of Portland; five grandchildren, Jessica Nelson of Ashland, Mass., Callum Nelson of Fort Fairfield, Justin Klum of Phoenix, Dylan Nelson and Kayla Shay, both of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Clement Thibodeau, celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. Nelson to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. <
RALPH F. NELSON
