Donald G. Nelson

Donald George Nelson, known to many as Don or “Nellie,” passed away quietly at South Shore Hospital on June 24, 2025, at the age of 87, with his wife Linda Anne by his side.

Don was born on January 29, 1938, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to George Waldemer Nelson of Helsingborg, Sweden, and Linnea Holmbo Nelson of Syracuse, New York. He grew up in Worcester and graduated from Commerce High School. He went on to study at Northeastern University in Boston and Fitchburg State Teachers College, and earned his master’s degree in education from Northeastern.

Don served in the U.S. Naval Reserve while continuing his studies and later worked as a dedicated public school teacher in Braintree, Massachusetts. Over the years, he lived in several South Shore communities, including Weymouth, Hingham, Marshfield, Rockland, and Hanover.

An avid skier, Don traveled often to ski challenging slopes and double black diamonds. In retirement, he was a proud member of the Top of the Hill Gang, sharing many happy memories on the slopes with close friends. He was also a talented artist, winning awards for his painting at the Marshfield Show. He enjoyed scrimshaw, woodworking—including building a grandfather clock—and playing guitar and singing. He ran races, biked, and played tennis and golf for fun. Friends and family remember him as adventurous, quiet, creative, and deeply devoted to his family.

Don was a longtime member of Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts, where he found both community and meaning. He will be interred there alongside his daughter.

He is survived by his wife of many years, Linda Anne Nelson; his son, Kirk Nelson; and his grandchildren: Linnea Mines and her husband Robert Mines, Rebecca Nelson, Sonya Nelson, Irma Nelson, and Kayleen Malpass, the daughter of his late daughter Jennifer Lea Nelson, who passed away on November 7, 2020.

Don was also predeceased by two other children with Linda Anne: Eric Nelson, and one unnamed child lost in infancy.

He is also survived by his brother, Richard Nelson, of Norwell, Massachusetts, retired from UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Nelson, who worked as a hotel manager in New York and was married to Agusta.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Saturday 7/12/2025 from 1-5 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. A Funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday 7/19/2025 at 2 PM in Old Ship Church, Hingham.