Joseph F. "Joe" Nelson

He was born March 2, 1914 the son of William and Catherine (Cullen) Nelson in the Bronx, NY.

He was married to Ruth (Ball) Nelson in 1946, a native of Manchester NH.

Joe was recruited by Holy Cross to play baseball but because of the Depression, had to decline. He studied at community college to become a civil engineer. He was drafted, joined the Army Air Corp and served during WWII. He became a pilot, earning his license on his own time. At the end of his Army Air Corp service he was stationed at Grenier Field in Manchester, NH. It is here where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ball, and after they were married, they settled in the Bronx where he worked for the City of New York. While serving as administrator under Robert Moses, Joe believed his claim to fame was naming the Lincoln Square project which is now known as Lincoln Center. While working full-time for NYC, he served in the Air Force Reserves. He also worked part-time for the NY Daily News.

In 1968, Joe retired from NYC and the Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He was hired by the Manchester Housing Authority as Director of the Amoskeag Millyard Redevelopment Project. The “Millyard Project” was America’s First Industrial Rehabilitation Project. Joe retired as Director of Urban Renewal in 1980.

Together with his wife, he travelled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Joe and Ruth were side by side for 67 years, raising their family. He loved spending time at his camp at Daniel’s Lake in Weare, watching baseball, and golfing.

A man of strong faith, Joe believed God directed his every action. While most would look at being drafted as a negative, Joseph believed it was God’s plan for him to meet Ruth. He was a 48 year communicant at St. Pius X Parish in Manchester.

He is survived by his daughter Margaret and her husband, John Poznanski; his son William and his fiancé, Jean Foor; his daughter Joan, and her husband Paul Porter; his son-in-law Donald Gates; his son Robert and his wife, Karen. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren; Meredith Cook, Joseph Gardner, Melanie Toscano, Meghan Hardy, William Gardner, Melissa Gates, Donald Gates III, Daniel Gates, Jessica Poznanski, Joseph Nelson, Hannah Nelson; 13 great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Marye (Ball) Montplaisir; his brother-in-law Thomas Ball; and many nieces and nephews. The Nelson side of his family is best represented by his niece Cecilia Orlando.

He is pre-deceased by his wife of 67 years, Ruth Ball Nelson; his daughter Marilyn Gates; his siblings Myrtle Costello Hartmayer; William Nelson; and Elizabeth Gustafaro.

Visitation was held on Sunday March 13 from4 to 7 pm at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover St. corner of Beech St. in Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 14 at 10 am in St. Pius X 575 Candia Rd. in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Joe’s name be made to your favorite charity.