Kenneth W. Nelson, 91, of Dartmouth died Wednesday November 28, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Mary P. (Perry) Nelson.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late William and Ida M. (West) Nelson, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life before moving to Dartmouth in 1986.
He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in South Dartmouth and a former communicant of St. Boniface Church in New Bedford where he served as a sexton for 35 years.
Mr. Nelson was formerly employed as a machinist at the Newport Torpedo Station, a salesman for Hathaway Bakery, and then in the maintenance department at the New Bedford Municipal Airport.
He was a member of the Sacred Hearts Association, the St. Vincent dePaul Society and was a recipient of the Marian Medal from the Diocese of Fall River.
Mr. Nelson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a graduate of Holy Family Grammar School, New Bedford Vocational High School and Campbell Business School.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth W. Nelson, Jr. of Fairhaven, former Bristol County Sheriff David R. Nelson of New Bedford, and Michael Nelson of Hanover; six daughters, Patricia Jardin, Marcia Texeira, and Nancy Espinola, all of Florida, Maryann Nelson of Dartmouth, Christine Medeiros of Dennis, and Teresa Nelson of Mattapoisett; 21 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two nieces.
He was predeceased by three grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Helen McGrath, Pearl Nelson, Doris Brown, William, Carl, and George Nelson.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 9 AM in St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery will be private. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Kathleen J. Nelson Scholarship Fund, 227 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, P.O. Box 111, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.