Graham J. Nelson

PEABODY- Mr. Graham J. Nelson, 87, of Brooksby Village, Peabody, beloved husband of Margaret Webb, died, Monday, January 23, 2017, at his home. Born in Salem in 1929, he was the son of the late David and Frances (Barron) Nelson. He was raised and educated in Beverly. He graduated from Beverly High School in 1947, Wilbraham Academy in 1948, and Harvard University in 1952 with a degree in Engineering Sciences and Physics. An honorably discharged veteran, Graham served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Graham worked for the family machine business in Beverly, General Electric, and Forte Engineering before spending over 45 years as a sales representative for Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co., earning the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Financial Planner. Graham lived and worked in Boxford and Topsfield for many years prior to moving to Brooksby Village in 2009. He was a Scoutmaster, chairman of the United Fund, president of the Rotary Club, and a Sunday School teacher, also serving on several town building committees. Graham and Margaret were active in square dancing and Scottish country dancing. He was an avid golfer, home renovator, and dog owner, winning numerous dog shows with his Saint Bernard, Kobi, as well as raising two rambunctious Jack Russell Terriers. Graham is survived by his loving wife Margaret Webb Nelson of Peabody, his daughters Blair Nelson of Rye, NH, Bethany Nelson and her husband Hessel Flach of Topsfield, and Lesley Tolman and her husband Garth of Boxford; his sons, Michael Nelson and his wife Valerie of Vallejo, California, Steve Nelson and his wife Penny of Beverly, and David Nelson and his wife Beth Champ of Atlanta, Georgia; his 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his sister Joan Nelson Leighton of Boxford. He will be deeply missed. ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service which will be held in the Chapel at Brooksby Village, 300 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, Sunday, Jan 29th, at 1:30 P.M. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to The Community School, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, Georgia 30030 or www.thecommunityschool.net/memorial. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com