Alan Martin Nelson

Alan Martin Nelson, 89, of Holden, passed away at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston, on October 28th, 2023 after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Agnes (Moran) Nelson and Einar Nelson.

Alan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Clare (Christmas) Nelson, his children Margaret Nelson of Holden, Timothy Nelson and his wife Pamela and their children Mackenzie and Joshua of Franklin, and Patrick Nelson and his wife Jennifer and their children Delaney and Pearl of Nashua, NH, and his sister Patricia (Nelson) Moran of Summerville, SC. Alan also leaves cousins, nieces and nephews, including Robert and Bonnie Moran of Holden, William and Margie Moran, Susan and Ronald Desautels, Rachel and Michael Tinervin, and Douglas and Susan Madden, and many great nieces and nephews. Alan was predeceased by his sister Charlotte (Nelson) Daigle.

A lifelong resident of Holden, Alan graduated from Holden High School in 1952 where he was a member of the debate team and pursued a number of sports. Alan attended Worcester State College before enlisting in the United States Army in 1954. He proudly served in the 49th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion based in Chicago, IL. Honorably discharged in 1957, the first thing he did was drive Route 66 in its entirety from Chicago to Los Angeles with an army buddy in an Oldsmobile that needed 2 quarts of oil every day. The first night they stopped in Missouri and had a roast beef dinner to celebrate. He took his one and only airplane ride back to Boston after the trip, vowing never to fly again. Alan briefly worked as a substitute teacher in Holden, quickly earning the nickname “Sarge”. He was an eyewitness to the 1953 Worcester tornado which killed 11 people in Holden, and even decades later he disliked thunderstorms.

Alan worked many years for the Holden DPW, retiring as foreman in 1983. After retirement, he found a job he loved at Meadowbrook Orchard in Sterling where he made many friends, including the customers, the owners, and the seasonal farm workers who called him “Ollie” or “Papa”. When he finally retired for good, he enjoyed gardening, sports and especially spending time with his family. He loved sitting on the porch on a summer’s evening, visiting with the friends and neighbors who dropped by. From an early age Alan was an avid birder, a pursuit he passed on to his children. He could often be found at the Wachusett or Quabbin reservoirs, or Plum Island, binoculars and Peterson Field Guide in hand. He also loved all types of music, with a special place reserved for Makem and Clancy, Victor Borge, André Rieu, Bert and I, and Tom Lehrer.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 2 at St. Mary’s Church 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, Main St., Holden. Donations in Alan Nelson’s memory can be made to Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA https://www.stjohnshigh.org/support/make-a-gift , or The Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation https://joshthibodeauhelpinghearts.com/donations/ .

To share a memory or offer an online condolence please visit his Tribute Wall on this page.