Gerald Anton Nielsen

Gerald Anton Nielsen, a lifetime resident of Darien and also of Bedford, NY, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2004. He was 69. Born March 30, 1934 in Stamford, CT, he was the son of the late Christian and Hilda Nielsen. He was married to Joanne Tammany Nielsen for 44 years.

Mr. Nielsen began his career managing the family florist which has been a Darien staple for 60 years. After many successful local real estate partnerships, he founded The Nielsen Company in 1963 which is a commercial and residential real estate development company.

A passion for thoroughbred horses led to his ownership of Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, NY where he and his wife bred and raised champion racehorses. He and his wife were named New York Thoroughbred Breeders of the Year in 1991 and 2002. Mr. Nielsen was elected to the presidency of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders in 2002.

Mr. Nielsen was a former president and long time member of the Darien Lions Club, former president of the Darien Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the National Operators Council of the Howard Johnson Company, Chairman of the Darien Republican Town Committee, was appointed to the New York Breeding and Development Fund and was also a member of the Country Club of Darien.

He is survived by his wife Joanne of Darien and Bedford, NY; four children, Tamara Whittier of Darien, Gerald Nielsen, Jr. of Darien, Sandra Nielsen of Rowayton and Karen Kuehler of New Canaan; and seven grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT on Thursday, February 5, 2004 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT on Friday, February 6, 2004 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, CT.

Memorial donations may be made to the Darien Lions Club, P. O. Box 144, Darien, CT 06820 or to the New York Breeders Scholarship Fund, 57 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.