John Kenneth Nielson

John Kenneth Nielson (Jack), 86, longtime resident of Manchester, died Friday, January 19, 2007, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Jack was blessed to have been married to two wonderful women. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife of 25 years, Shirley Katherine Henry. In 1970 he married Gladys Addy Vennart and shared 20 happy years of marriage until her death in 1990.

Jack was born May 24, 1920, in East Hartford, the son of the late Walter and Ella Nielson. Jack was a 1938 graduate of Bulkeley High School and Hillyer College of Hartford. He served as a radio technician in the Pacific Theater of the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was employed by Pratt Whitney as an engineer draftsman. Later he worked as a sales engineer, first for Rack Engineering and then for Syndet Products until his retirement. Jack was actively involved as a leader in the Boy Scouts. His hobbies included golfing, bicycling, traveling, and working in stained glass. Jack became an avid cyclist at the age of 60. For the next two decades he cycled every day and enjoyed many cycling excursions with family. He especially enjoyed cycling with his grandchildren. More recently he became active at the Manchester Senior Center and joined the SHHH for those with hearing impairments.

He leaves his daughter, Pam Russo of Woodstock; his son, Jeffrey and wife, Janice, of Plymouth, N.H.; two stepdaughters, Kathleen Roberts of Burlington, Vt., and Martha Smart of Neptune, N.J.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Allen of Manchester, and Doris Beers of Saint Marys, Ga. Jack was predeceased by a brother, Walter C. Nielson.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Holmes Funeral Home at 400 Main Street in Manchester on Saturday, January 27. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 3 p.m. that day at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Hospice of Northeastern CT, c/o Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT, or the Quiet Corner, SHHH, Inc., P.O. Box 314, Ashford, CT.