HAROLD L NELSON passed away on February 20, 2007 in Evanston at the age of 75. A sea captain, as was his father before him, he spent most of his career on the high seas working on freighters, cruise ships and oil tankers. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island. After graduating with honors from Fort Schuyler, the New York State Maritime College in 1953, he served two years in the US Navy as an Ensign and Lt (JG ) from the Mediterranean to the Pacific.
Following that was a long career with Moore-McCormick Lines. Although he sailed to virtually every part of the world, the voyages during the 1960's and 1970's were primarily to South America and the southern regions of Africa on freighters and to the Caribbean on cruise ships. During this time period, he also spent a year teaching cadets on their training ship at Fort Schuyler. Harold finished his sailing career with US Lines, with more trips to the Far East, including a stint as the captain of an ammunition supply vessel subcontracted by the Navy running between the Philippines and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
He first dated his wife of nearly fifty years, Louise (Hannam), in high school before they were married in their early twenties. Harold resided in Wyckoff, NJ for most of his adult life before he and Louise retired to Spokane, WA in 1988. In both locations, they enjoyed the challenge of designing and building architecturally unique homes that fit within their natural locations. In Spokane, he enjoyed horseback riding and volunteering with the Navy League Air and Naval Museum. Harold was a great student of naval history and American political history. In the summer of 2006 he moved to Three Crowns Park in Evanston, IL. His wife Louise preceded him in death in 2002.
Survivors include his son George (Laura), grandchildren Eleanor and Clifton in Evanston; daughter Clara, Chicago; brothers Norman (Herdis) in Norway and George (Delores), Queens, NY.
FMSAA