PALMYRA – Nelson “DeDe” Daniel Whipple Sr., 72, died Nov. 25, 2010, at his home, after a long battle with cancer. Nelson was born Jan. 12, 1938, in New Haven, Conn., the son of Homer and Margaret “Peggy” (Smith) Whipple Sr. Nelson graduated from Stonington (Conn.) High School in 1956, where he was a member of the State Championship football team of 1956. He married Marjorie Algiere Aug. 24, 1957, in Norwich, Conn., and they made their home in Lisbon, Conn., until 1969. Nelson joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957, serving as a corporal aboard the USS Leyte, an aircraft carrier. He was honorably discharged in 1959, but he always considered himself a Marine. They moved several times between Palmyra and Norwich, Conn., and moved to Northport in 1999, and in 2006 they returned to Palmyra, where they made their home. Nelson was a heavy equipment operator all his working life. He also cut wood, ran a farm and did maintenance work. He worked many years for Whipple Construction, Stan Norris & Sons and Ray’s Homes. Nelson was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Pittsfield. He was a well-known bluegrass player, and after moving to Maine in 1969 he was a founding member and lead singer and guitar player of Maine’s Kennebec Valley Boys. They were featured many times on local radio and television shows. He was an avid gardener and was always very proud of his crops. He loved to fly fish and tied his own flies and made his own fly rods. He loved auto racing, following NASCAR and his favorite drivers, Matt Kensith and Joey Logano. He was very proud of building his own home from the trees and material from his own land. He loved his dog, Sheppie. Nelson is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marjorie C. Whipple of Palmyra; two sons and their wives, Richard and Cheryl Whipple of Colchester, Conn., and Nelson D. and Julie Whipple Jr. of St. Albans; one daughter and her husband, Laurie and Harold Wilber of Palmyra; three brothers, Richard and Claire Whipple of Preston, Conn., Curtis “Curt” Whipple of Preston, Conn., and Frederick Whipple and his wife, Judy, of Ledyard, Conn.; five grandchildren, Sophia Whipple of Colchester, Conn., Ashley Whipple of Pittsfield, Sherry Whipple of Canaan, Dean Wilber of Old Town, Rebbecca and Alex Johnston of Waterville; one great-granddaughter, Mya; several nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by his mother-in-law, Stasia Algiere; a special sister-in-law, MaryAnn LeBlanc; and a brother-in-law and his wife, John and Kathy Algiere. He was predeceased by his sister, Margie Mattos; and his brothers, “Tink” and “Abby.” Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport, for a time of celebration and remembrance of the life of Nelson D. Whipple Sr. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Detroit Avenue, Pittsfield. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, 361 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes, please visit www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.
NELSON D. WHIPPLE SR.
