Ronald Theodore Nelson

Nelson, Ronald Theodore

Passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Ron was born in River Philip, Nova Scotia, Canada on February 7, 1936 to Violet (Dykens) and Lyman Nelson. He was the oldest of seven children. He is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Sandra; daughter, Virginia Nelson and her husband, David Boyle; three grandsons, Alex, Andrew and Ian; and six siblings, Beverly (Wayne) Heacock, Elaine (Gary) Edwards, Vera Crevatin, Lyman Nelson and Marilyn (Robert) Hatton. He was pre-deceased by his parents; infant sister, Geraldine; brother-in-law, Bert Crevatin; and sister-in-law, Pattie Jaggers.

Ron grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and in 1955 after high school spent one year as an electrical apprentice at Stelco, one of the huge steel mills in the city. He attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto and graduated in 1959 in electronics, spending the next 13 months in the far Canadian north working on the Mid-Canada line, an early warning system during the Cold War. Deciding that wasn't what he wanted to do for life, he entered nursing school in Brockville, Ontario graduating at the top of his class in 1963 and then attending nurse anesthesia school at Hurley Hospital, Flint, Michigan. He had found his life's work! He loved the patients and staff of the hospitals where he worked for the next 45 years. Ron was kind, generous and never held a grudge. He loved photography, traveling, his cats, his wonderful friends in the U.S., Canada, UK and Australia, especially playing cards, whether 9-holes on Friday nights in Jackson or euchre in Venice, Florida.

He loved his Catholic faith and St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. He loved Venice, FL and Venice, Italy – the city of his dreams. But he especially loved his wife, wonderful daughter and the very best grandsons in the world. He would do anything for them. He loved Scotland and his wife's Scottish relatives and the love and generosity they extended to him. He loved the farm at Haddo, the rough North Sea coast, the fresh fish, the beautiful scenery and the history, the shortbread and evenings chatting till the "wee" hours of the morning.

We thank Dr. Halsey and staff for taking great care of Ron's medical needs and Dr. Hirth and the staff of Henry Ford Allegiance Oncology for the wonderful care, kindness and hugs these last 18 3/4 years. Also Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice was so kind and competent these last weeks. They helped us get through this difficult time, especially nurses, Missy K, Dana and Jerry, health aide Emily and our friend and nurse Sheila B. In addition we would like to thank the staff of ComForCare who helped Ron stay in his home by supporting us, thanks Paul and Faith.

As Ron would say as he brought his patient to Recovery "It went smooth as silk". May your life's journey to eternity be the same!

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Nelson officiating. Interment will follow at St. John's Catholic Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Thursday, October 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and at the church on Friday from 11:30 AM until 12:00 Noon. Masks, social distancing, and other COVID-19 health guidelines will be enforced.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, we ask you to consider these charities and organizations: Lingap Children's Foundation, www.lingapcenter.org ; St. Mary Star of the Sea Church and School 120 E. Wesley St., Jackson, MI 49201, https://stmaryjackson.com/ use the online giving link followed by the Quick Give gift link; or Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice One Jackson Square, 4th Floor, Jackson, MI 49201, https://www.henryford.com/locations/allegiance-health/donate-online

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 130 years