Nelson F. Eddy

Nelson F. Eddy, 84, of Champion, passed away January 3, 2025, at Upstate University Hospital after a short illness.
Nelson was born October 17. 1940, son of James W. and Elrena M. (LaVigne) Eddy. He graduated from high school and attended SUNY Oswego. On August 18, 1960, he married Mary J. Tibbles. Mary died on May 20, 2023.
Surviving are two sons, Samuel Q. (Janice), Champion, Nelson F. (Neil) Jr. (Renee), Manlius, three brothers, Ronald (Pat), Copenhagen, Larry (Glenda), Carthage, Stephen (Debbie), Carthage, a sister, Kathryn Doolittle, Copenhagen, a grandson, Shawn, a granddaughter, April, two great grandchildren, Alexandra and Ryan, several nieces and nephews.
Nelson was a man of commitment and dedication to his community and its history. As a young man his lifelong interest in history was sparked by chauffeuring his great-aunt to various cemeteries to compile her family genealogy. While in high school he wrote the genealogy of his line of the Eddy Family and presented it to the National Eddy Family Association. His ancestral family arrived at Plymouth in the 1630 voyage from England on the Hand Maiden. His lineage included the 13th president Millard Fillmore as well as Nelson Eddy, the renowned American actor and baritone singer. Nelson eventually became president of the National Eddy Family Association as well as the Eddy Homestead Museum in Middleboro, Mass. where he volunteered countless hours. He also served as past president and treasurer of the NNY Eddy Family Association.
A lifetime of commitment to the Grange began when he joined Champion Grange #18 in June 1960. He was elected Assistant Steward in September and then President the following Sept. 1961. Throughout his 64 years of service, he held many positions including assistant steward, steward, executive committee, secretary and lecturer. Many years were as President of the Champion Grange, including up to his death. He never tired of gathering shoe boxes and stuffing them for the children, organizing and cooking public dinners and performing community service. He was also appointed President of Perch River Grange by State President Bert Morse.
Nelson was also active in the Jefferson County Grange, known as Pomona, in the capacity of Master and Lecturer for many years. He organized the Annual Jeff. Co. Grange Rural-Urban Banquet and served as president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer of the NYS Grange Pomona Lecturer's Association twice around.
He was awarded NYS Grange Subordinate Lecturer of the Year in 1973 as well as Young Couple of the Year. In 1974 and 1976 Nelson was awarded NYS Grange Pomona Lecturer of the Year as well as 1974 NYS Granger of the Year awarded by the Farmers & Traders Life Insurance Co. In 1980 he was selected as the recipient of Jefferson County Pomona Grange "The Grange Award" Citizen of the Year.
His never-ending service led him to New York State Grange where he chaired a broom sale which netted over $17,000. He was the host chairman of the 1977 NYS Grange Annual Session and served on Regional Membership Committee NYS Grange for two years and NYS Grange Junior Committee for four years. Nelson ascended to the office of NYS Grange Gatekeeper 1993-1995 and ultimately NYS Grange Lecturer 2007-2009. In the latter capacity he visited granges around the state and could assist with their programs. Each subordinate lecturer is responsible for an educational and/or entertaining program. Nelson's creative and lively lecturer programs were always enthusiastically received. In 2011 he was honored with the NYS Grange Fern Palmer Award.
In 1993-1994 he became a charter trustee of the NYS Grange Museum in Cortland, N.Y. He eventually rose to the office of Vice-President and President of the NYS Grange Museum Board where he was involved in the Memorial Brick Program.
Nelson served as President of the Greater Watertown Jaycees and the NYS District Jaycees. He was selected Chairman of the Year in 1970 and Director of the Year in 1971 by the Greater Watertown Jaycees. In 1975 he earned the Distinguished Service Award by the Greater Watertown Jaycees. Another award was the J.C.I. Senator, a life membership to the World Congress of Junior Chamber International.
From 1978 to 2010 Nelson was the Chairman of the Jefferson County Dairy Festival Parade. By then he had become a Director of the Jefferson County Fair Board and was up until his death. He also was a Superintendent of the Grange and Talent Contests. His strong affiliation with agriculture and the Jefferson County Fair was no doubt influenced by his respect and friendship with Alex Duffy. He was deeply honored to be an honorary pallbearer for Alex.
Nelson participated in numerous cultural and historical activities. He was past president Snowtown, U.S.A. Winter Festival and chairman of the National Snow Sculpting Competition. He enjoyed being a Cub Scout Master in West Carthage, a member of the Carthage Sesquicentennial Committee and Jefferson County Bicentennial Committee. He worked as chairman of the City of Watertown Centennial Committee 1969 as well as chairing the City of Watertown Christmas Parade when live reindeer were showcased. He served as a director of the Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce and was awarded as Director of the Year in 1986.
Nelson's interest in his Irish heritage was manifested when he became chairman of the Watertown in Bloom and ultimately the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival where he served as co-chair and chairman of the Irish Festival Parade from 1986-2016. In later years he was on the executive board, handled the raffle tickets and served as historian.
Another labor of love for Nelson was the 4 River Valleys Historical Society. He became president of the society in 1978 and remained in that capacity until his death. During his time, the society acquired the Trinity Chapel, built in 1875 and located in Great Bend, in 1978. In June 1987 they added the first one-room schoolhouse in Champion and had it moved to the site near Trinity Chapel. In 1999 the City of Watertown sold the Jefferson County Fair ticket booth on Coffeen Street to 4RVHS. It has stood there since 1853 and is the most well-known symbol of the longest continuous running fair in the country. Their latest acquisition was the 1820 limestone house originally belonging to Hiram Hubbard, son of founder Noadiah Hubbard, in Champion. Since 2005, the society has worked diligently to preserve this beautiful stone house as a museum and home base for the society. Through the years of major repairs, Nelson has always been there to do what he could-plant trees, flower bulbs and painting.
In addition, he worked to raise funding for the historical society. Many know him from years of manning a food booth at the Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Farmer's Market. He was on the original committee to form the Watertown Farmer's Market as the representative of the Grange. The society started out with bake sales which evolved into a full food booth. They were present at the market from 1977 to 2016 when health issues forced him to stop. He was honored as the 2014 Vendor of the Year at the market. He was also known for the 4RVHS booth at the Irish Festival where Irish ornaments and an Irish coverlet were available. During his time, numerous trips throughout the US and Canada as well as tours to Ireland and Europe were enjoyed by many through the historical society.
Nelson was Chairman of the Town of Champion Parks Committee from 1996-2011, past trustee of the Regional Council of Historical Agencies (now Upstate History Alliance), member of Library & Records Committee of the NYS Assoc. of Agricultural Fairs 1996-present and member of First Presbyterian Church, Watertown Elks Club and North Side Improvement League. He had been awarded life memberships by the North Side Improvement League and Watertown Elks Club. With all of his community service, he was recognized with the prestigious Israel A. Shapiro Award in 1986. This award is given annually to an outstanding citizen displaying leadership qualities and contributing service to the community. At the time he was one of the youngest to ever receive the award.
In 2017 Nelson co-authored the book "Jefferson County Agricultural Society 1817 – 2017" with David Shampine. It was to coincide with the 200th continuous year of the Jefferson County Fair. No one had ever compiled all of the data over all those years and Nelson felt it important to record it for posterity as this fair holds the record as the longest continuous fair in the USA. He worked for months collecting facts, gathering pictures and interviewing as well as the publishing as Dave Shampine died before it was finished. The result is not only a book of interesting stories to any history buff, but also a detailed reference book on the fair's history.
Nelson was a self-employed painter who could tell many harrowing stories about being on a 40 ft. ladder. He was also employed at Puff's Ice Cream Stand for 17 years. From 1998 on, he worked at Petals 'N' Pots Greenhouses. In all three capacities, he was a hard-working person who believed in performing the absolute best job possible. Anywhere you went someone would comment on the best painter ever or wax nostalgic about a unique ice cream product or thank him for the best vegetables or flowers. His incredible work ethic was a testament to him as well as a great source of pride. There is no doubt he will be sorely missed by every life he touched.
Calling hours from 4-6pm will be held at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday, January 24, 2025. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11am with Canon Samuel Lundy officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery Champion.
Contributions may be made to the 4 River Valleys Historical Society, PO Box 504, Carthage, NY 13619 or to Champion Grange, c/o Melvin Phelps, P.O. Box 493, Copenhagen, NY 13626.
Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com
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