Harold D. Nelson, 97, of Brentwood, NH; formerly of Berlin, NH passed away on February 16, 2019. He was born in Berlin on November 6, 1921 the eldest son of Herbert and Marion Nelson (Dustin).
His greatest joy was spending time with family, living and growing up in Berlin, which he lovingly called “god’s country”. He enjoyed spending time travelling cross country by car to visit his children, family and friends. He had many pets over the course of his life which brought joy to his life, especially his beloved dog, Mac. Upon retirement, he put in his “40 hours” skiing at Wildcat for over 20 years with the “over the hill gang”. He skied almost every day until his move to southern New Hampshire in 2008. During his high school years he ran the clock down in the infamous Inferno race in Tuckerman’s Ravine until it was decided that it was too dangerous to continue the event.
He took great pride in serving his country in the United States Army during WWII from 1942 to 1945 and as a Major in the National Guard Reserve until his retirement. He was a member of Company M of the 120th Infantry Regiment of the 30th Division “Old Hickory Forever”, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of the Hedgerows and combats in Northern France. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster. In 2012 he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for his heroic service contributing to the liberation of France.
He served on the Coos County Planning Board for 19 years; was a 3 term NH State Representative from 1982 to 1992 and served as Library Trustee for the Berlin Public Library from 1986 to 2008.
He is predeceased by his loving wife Jean who passed away in 2017; son Richard “Dickie” Nelson; brothers Kenneth and Downing.
Harold leaves behind his children Lisa Nelson of New York, NY, Denise Nelson Kalagher of Lancaster, MA and her husband Jack, Philip Nelson-Valante of Boston, MA and his husband Paul; daughter in-law Priscilla Nelson; grandchildren Ismail Nelson-Valante, Lori Nelson Wassung and her husband Edward, Sherri Nelson, Brett Nelson and fiance Stacy Hourihane, Vicki Nelson; 6 great grandchildren: Caitlin, Allison, Eric, Nicholas, Kyle and Timothy; niece Freda Hawkinson and cousins.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 1pm at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 101 Norway Street, Berlin. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin from 11am-12:30pm prior to the service. Interment will be in the St. Kieran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Berlin Public Library, 270 Main Street, Berlin, NH 03570 and/or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 101 Norway Street, Berlin, NH 03570.