Nelson H. Progin

1941 - 2017

Nelson H. Progin
formerly of Fitchburg, MA; 75

Nelson H. Progin, 75, of Franconia, New Hampshire and Port Orange, Florida, died peacefully April 24, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born September 6, 1941 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts to Nelson H. Progin, Sr. and Elna (Lundberg) Progin. He was the youngest of three and brought up by his father, his uncle Karl and aunt Agnes Mindt on Mechanic Street in Fitchburg after his mother's death in 1941.

Nelson graduated from Fitchburg High School and immediately started working for Lincoln Vending, a family business. He married the former Leatrice Kinnunen in 1961. They lived on Lower Naukeag Lake in Ashburnham where they brought up daughter Claudia and son Nelson III.

Nelson owned and operated Crawford Motor Sales, a used car and salvage company, in Fitchburg for 27 years and later Crawford Truck Sales. He acquired knowledge of automobiles and learned many related trades from Uncle Karl who had owned an automobile repair business. He raced a stock car at Brookline Speedway in New Hampshire in the 1960s, began following NASCAR racing in the 1980s and always looked forward to watching races and going to the Daytona 500 every year.

In 1993, he and Lee moved to their home in Franconia, New Hampshire, close to Cannon Mountain. There he established an independent trucking company. For many years he successfully contracted out his services. He loved to entertain at his home that came to be called The First Stop, where he would welcome one and all after a day of skiing.

Nelson and Lee spent the last few winters in Florida. He was a member of the Elks for over 40 years and the Eagles for 5 years in Florida. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Leatrice, his daughter Claudia Hunt and husband Richard of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, two grandchildren Leanza Hunt and Hanzon Hunt also of Sugar Hill, and son Nelson H. Progin III of Massachusetts. He is also survived by his brother Jim Progin and wife Judy Holmes of Jackson, New Hampshire, sister Ann Hall and husband Ted of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, cousin Sheila Swanson and husband Jerry of St. Augustine, Florida and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of his life is planned for a later date in Franconia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name to The New England Ski Museum, PO Box 267, Franconia NH 03580-0267.