John N. Nelson

John Neil Nelson, devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on June 15, 2021. Born to John R. and Evelyn A. Nelson on March 18, 1929, John graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, received his degree in mechanical engineering from the Case Institute of Technology, and then served in the United States Navy.

John joined General Electric and Production Machinery prior to establishing his own tax and business counselling practice General Business Services in Willoughby and provided support to many small businesses throughout the area for 39 years until his retirement in 2005. John served as President of the Willoughby Chamber of Commerce, was elected twice to the Willoughby Eastlake School Board that he also chaired, was a long-time member of Willoughby Rotary Club and he also served on the Breckenridge Village Board for thirteen years. John was honored in 1983 as Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Willoughby Chamber of Commerce, and he was chair of the Foundation Fund of Willoughby United Methodist Church for 35 years. Throughout his life John was known for his humor, humility, and commitment to serving others.

John enjoyed many family camping trips adventuring all around the USA, and often hilarious discussions around the supper table inspiring his children to pursue their dreams no matter the obstacles. He gave each of his children bespoke support to achieve, and then always made sure he visited them wherever they landed in the US or abroad. John’s special love was sailing his 27 foot Tartan sailboat Frivind on Lake Erie with his sons as crew, cruising storms and winning races. John was at heart an engineer - he always had the right tool or trick to finish the endless jobs he worked on, and generally spent his life helping to fix the world as he walked through it.

He is survived by his very beloved wife of 63 years, Georgia, and his four children: Deborah Chang (Chu) of Saratoga, CA; Kimberly Larkins (Jody) of Madison, IN; John Nelson (Anne) of Frome, UK; Mathew Nelson (Sandra) of Austin, TX; 10 grandchildren: Stephen (Krystal) and Eric (Marguerite) Chang; Zachary, Gregory and Eric Larkins; Jack (Eva), Georgia and Ana Montague-Nelson; Dante and Sabina Nelson, and six great grandchildren.

The family thanks his devoted caregivers Ellana Fishwick, Melissa Graham, Katherine Caldwell, Ashley Stoltz, Nurse Colleen, and the Ohio Living Hospice Team for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Ohio Living Hospice, 9200 Worthington Road, Ste 300, Worthington, OH 43082, or Breckenridge Village Life Care at the same address.