Anthony Lawrence Nelson

June 30, 1931 - July 2, 2015
Anthony Lawrence Nelson

Gentle, humble Tony is being laid to rest this week after suffering from Lewy Body dementia for the last few years.

Born in Brooklyn, New York on June 30, 1931 to Lawrence Alfred Nelson and Florence Palermo Nelson as their only son, Tony died on July 2, 2015.

Marie Rose Bruno, from Helper, Utah met him early in their careers in young Orange County, and they spent the last 57 years together. 

Always the family man, he will be missed by all those he touched. Never loud or brash, he worked his way into your heart by his deeds, his devotion to his work, family, marriage and God. 

Representing the American immigrant’s dream, he was born to Italian and Norwegian immigrant parents, and found success on all levels. 

Educated in Brooklyn at the Polytechnic Institute, he used his Aeronautical Engineering degree and management skills to work his way up the fledgling aircraft and spacecraft programs of Southern California in the 1950’s. He finished his career in Structural Engineering with Boeing after 33 years in the industry. He received many awards related to Space Shuttle tests and the International Manned Space Mission. After 41 years in California, he retired with his wife Marie in 1999, and moved to Draper, Utah.  He then devoted his energies further into hobbies, the Catholic church and his involvement with The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher and his expanding family. 

Dapper and quick to laugh, Tony made you feel connected and important. He kept us well-fed with stories in Brooklynese, and was proud of his coins, models, books, card game skills, and well-stocked bar.

He is survived by his dedicated wife Marie, his four children Lori (Chris) Gay, Cheryl (Joe) Ryan, Anthony (Jenny) Nelson, Patricia (James) Schierer and eight adoring grandchildren. 

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 beginning at 6pm where a recitation of The Holy Rosary will begin at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 11am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 E 11800 S, Draper, Utah. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Community Services, www.ccsutah.org.  Online condolences may be offered at www.starksfuneral.com