Captain Michael Sanford Nelson, 1-26-79, age 33 was called home to the Lord on Monday, 9-3-12 following a courageous battle against cancer. Michael is the son of Sanford and Michele Nelson, both educators for Broward County School, adored brother of Captain Patrick Nelson and his late brother John Nelson. Mike graduated from Nova High School in 1998. He was captain of the Nova water polo team, a lifeguard and taught swimming for City of Fr. Lauderdale. Mike was an alter boy and confirmed at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. He attended Florida Atlantic University. Mike was an avid athlete to include surfing, baseball, soccer, snowboarding, cross country running, water polo, as well as, an accomplished angler and scuba diver. He captained several sport fishing yachts traveling to Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico, Caribbean and Venezuela for the past ten years. Mike will always be remembered for his beautiful smile, kind heart, enthusiasm for life and love of family and friends. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, 9-7-12, at 5:30 pm in St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Ft. Lauderdale. [submitted by the family]
