Thomas Wester Nielson

1940 - 2014

Thomas Wester Nielson, 73, of Deming Road, Berlin, peacefully passed away January 7, 2014 at home. He was the beloved husband of Lee Nielson. They were married January 16, 1988 in Glastonbury. Born March 10, 1940, son of the late Thomas and Bertha Nielson, he lived his entire life in Berlin, CT. As a young man, Tom was known to go spear fishing and trapping, and enjoyed playing cards. He was also the Sunday school teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wethersfield, CT for many years. He attended 2 years at the UConn School of Ag and then continued for 4 more years at UConn College of Ag. His lifelong dream was to succeed at farming and feed people. He spent his life raising beautiful flowers and growing vegetables to feed the local community. Tom also had a passion for history in general, and the Civil War in particular. In the off season, Tom loved to do puzzles, read, and was a Red Sox baseball and UCONN basketball fan. He was a part of Nielson's Farm Bowling team for 40 years and was the vegetable judge for the Berlin Fair for 50 years. He also loved to ballroom dance with Lee. Tom was best known for his work ethic. Many of the young seasonal farm workers returned over the years to thank him for the work discipline he taught them. In 2004, Tom, along with his partner, Steve Bengtson, protected their farm, Cold Spring Brook Farm, (aka: Nielson's Farm), against any non-farming development so future generations could enjoy the high quality, locally grown flowers and produce. As a result of their efforts, Cold Spring Brook Farm, along with the farmhouse, will always be a farm. In addition to his wife, Lee, he leaves his children: Heather (Wayne) Smith of Berlin, Mette (Max) Kauffman of Fairbanks, AK; Thomas (Erin) Nielson of Westford, MA; Allan (Heather) Nielson of Portland. He also leaves his step-children: John (Roxanne) Molina of Rocky Hill, Dawn Molina of Rocky Hill; Heather (Gary) Molina-St. Jean of Putnam. His sister Meta Smith of Berlin, a niece Nancy Smith and nephew, John Smith, both of Wethersfield. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, a special member of the family, Desiree, many beloved cousins, and a very "special" men's group. Special thanks to Vitas Hospice and Companions & Homemakers. Also, a very special thank you to Heather Molina-St. Jean and Carol Parris for their loving care and commitment to Tom during the past several months. Because of them, his wish to pass away at home was granted. Calling hours will be Sunday January 12th from 2-5pm at Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT. Funeral Service will be Monday, January 13th at 10am at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, with burial immediately following in Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in his memory to Vitas Hospice, 628 Hebron Avenue, Suite 300, Glastonbury, CT 06033, or the charity of your choice.