Anthony Bruce Nelson

Born on July 6, 1968 in Schenectady, NY he was the son of Elaine and the late Clarence Nelson. Tony, as he would be affectionately called by friends and family, was a kind and inquisitive child who loved to learn. He played piano, was a boy scout, an attentive big brother to his younger siblings David and Cristel, and a best friend to his older brother, Michael. In 1982, Tony’s mother, Elaine, married Joseph Porter and the family moved to Lisbon, CT where Tony and Michael enrolled at the Norwich Free Academy.

Tony flourished at NFA! He was an honor student - excelling in science and math, he sang in the school choir (he always loved music), and he was a star athlete. As a running back on NFA’s football team and a standout in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track, Tony set multiple records in track and field alongside his brother, Michael.

Due to his talent in track and field, Tony qualified to participate in the 1985 Junior Olympics in Seattle, Washington as a decathlete. This experience and his strong academics would lead to Tony being recruited by UCONN & Dartmouth. Upon graduating from NFA in 1986, Tony matriculated as a freshman at UCONN where he was on the track team and participated in ROTC. Later, he enlisted in the US Army and successfully completed his basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. Tony was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1989 after completing his commitment to the Ready Reserve.

After traveling between CT, RI, and MA in his 20s, Tony returned to Norwich where he would embed himself in the community in the years to come. He was a longtime salesman at ATT and Gordon’s Shoe Store on Main Street. Tony enjoyed getting to know people and was always friendly, hardworking, and funny.

Outside of work, Tony continued to be an avid runner. He could often be found sprinting through the marina and up Laurel Hill. Tony even participated and placed in several Rose City races. Even now, he and his brother, Michael, still hold a record at NFA.

Above all else, Tony truly loved the Lord, and Evans Memorial AME Zion Church became a second home to him. In his 25 years with the congregation, Tony was an incredibly dedicated member and was involved in every aspect of the church community. He sang in all the church choirs, served as the church’s superintendent of Sunday school for many years and eventually became a local preacher and exhorter.

Anthony readily extended his love for his church family to the larger community. As an active member of the Norwich NAACP, he always believed in giving back and that no person was above another which aligned with the time he spent at St. Vincent De Paul’s soup kitchen. He would serve many souls there, and in his latter years, St. Vincent would be a source of great support in his own journey.

Anthony was a true servant of God and the Norwich community, and he will be sorely missed by those who had the good fortune to cross his path.

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Tony is predeceased by his father, Clarence Nelson; his three brothers, Michael Nelson, David Nelson and Duane Porter; and his grandparents, Samuel Brooks and Dorothy Brooks Glover, and Emma Nelson.

Left to carry on his memory with love and pride – Tony’s mother and step-father, Elaine and Joseph Porter of Atlanta, GA; his siblings, Cristel Hodge of Jacksonville, FL, Jolanda Porter and Keven Porter of Atlanta, GA and Linda Dunagan of Brockton, MA; his uncle, Sam Brooks of Minneapolis, his aunt, Sonjia Brooks of Schenectady, NY; his cousin, Demmene Syron of East Windsor, CT and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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The celebration of life services for Anthony will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Evans A.M.E. Zion Church, 2 McKinley Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360. The wake and viewing will be at 4pm, followed by the service at 5pm. A repass will be held at Cornerstone City Church, 248 Broadway following the service.

The burial will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11am at ParkView Cemetery, 40 Fehr Ave., Schenectady, NY. A celebration of life luncheon will be held after the interment.

To express condolences visit: www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/norwich-ct/anthony-nelson-11668318