John A. Neilson

LAKEVILLE John A. Neilson, age 92 years, of Lakeville, died peacefully, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Alden Court Nursing Center, in Fairhaven, with his family by his side. He was the husband of the late Lois A. (Demers) Neilson. Born and raised in Middleboro, he was a son of the late Niels and Marie (Thomson) Nielson. John was a graduate of Middleboro High School and of Lowell Technical School. He had lived in Lakeville since 1960 and had worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 32 years, until his retirement as a professional regional land surveyor. In his early years, he worked for W.T. Grant Co. and the Blue Plate Restaurant. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force, during World War II, for four years, as a technical sergeant, radio operator. Nearing the end of the war, the aircraft he was on was shot down over Germany and he parachuted from the aircraft and became a Prisoner of War of Germany and was in several P.O.W. camps. He was a member of the VFW Post 3188, the Middleboro Senior Citizens, AARP association, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Registered Land Surveyors and Engineers, Friendly Seniors of Lakeville and a charter member of the original Middleboro Varsity Club, which later became the Mitchell Memorial Club. He was also a member of Central Baptist Church since 1955, serving on the Standing Committee and other committees for many years. He enjoyed gardening, dancing with the Nemasket Line Dance Club and was devoted to his family and church. He is survived by two sons, Brad Nielson and his wife Lois of Lakeville and Rich Nielson and his wife Nancy of Lakeville; a granddaughter, Ashley Nielson of Lakeville; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Helen Harding, George Nielson and Niel Nielson. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at 10 a.m., in the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford St., Lakeville. Interment will follow in Nemasket Cemetery in Middleboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Southcoast Hospice, 200 Mill Road, Suite 120, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.d-mfh.com.