FORT FAIRFIELD – John J. Nelson, 78, husband of the late Robertine “Bobbie” (Cyr) Nelson, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 8, 2011, at a Bangor health care facility after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 31, 1933, in Fort Fairfield, son of Frank A. and Mary (Rochford) Nelson.
John was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1952, and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, stationed in Germany and France. After his honorable discharge from the Army, John became employed with the U.S. Civil Service at the Loring Air Force Base Heating Plant, Limestone, until his retirement in 1988, after more than 30 years of service. He married Robertine “Bobbie” Cyr, Oct. 31, 1970, and was a lifelong communicant of St. Denis Catholic Church, Parish of the Precious Blood, Fort Fairfield. An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed hunting, shooting and fishing.
He will be fondly remembered by his family as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and brother. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife, Bobbie, Dec. 28, 1991; three brothers, Philip “Bud,” Lawrence and Ralph Nelson; and one sister, Marion A. Reed. He is survived by one son, John J. Nelson II and his wife, Tina, of Hampden; two daughters, Patricia N. Plant and her husband, Chris, of Hampden, and Amy S. Nelson of Portland; two brothers, Kenneth “Pat” Nelson of Fort Fairfield and Peter Nelson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Gary Smith of Portland; six grandchildren, Taylor Slamons-Spencer, Declan and Casey Nelson, Ingrid, Amelia and Gretchen Plant, all of Hampden; numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. by the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Denis Catholic Church, Parish of the Precious Blood, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, celebrant. Spring interment with military honors will take place at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the funeral Mass at St. Denis Church reception area. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. Nelson to the charity or organization of one’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.