Robert Nels Nelson

Robert Nelson, 85, of Thorndike, Maine, passed away unexpectedly and suddenly on Nov. 3 2025. He was the beloved husband of Agnes (Larrabee) Nelson and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Born in Norwood, Mass. Oct. 20th 1940, he was the second born son of the late Oscar and Marjorie (Taylor) Nelson. Bob was raised in Plainville, Mass. and was a graduate of King Phillip High School in Norfolk, Mass. He joined the United States Air Force Feb. 1960 and was honorably discharged Feb. 1966.
Bob worked for several years at Bryant Steel Works in Knox, Maine as a machinist. He worked for 3 years in Boston, Mass. at McCalls Magazine Company. Bob and his family moved back to Maine where he worked at Cooper Waymoth in Clinton. After that he worked at Scott Paper in Winslow as a maintenance machinist until he retired in 1995: he worked after retiring for 10 years for a land surveyor doing research.
Bob belonged to the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Thorndike for more than 10 years. Over the years he was a Selectman and mostly served as 1st Selectman for more than 15 years. Bob belonged to the Knox Station Grange #579, Waldo Pomona Grange #12, Maine State Grange and the National Grange for 50 years.
When his sons were in elementary school and wanted to play bum league basketball, he was told "If he wanted them to play, he'd have to be the coach." He went to Joseph's Sporting Goods Store and bought a basketball book as he knew nothing about the game. Bob coached for 9 years, he enjoyed it so much. He was the family pre-school babysitter for several of his grandchildren after his retirement. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, hunting, gardening, and talking and visiting with people. Bob loved talking about property history and property lines. He was a wealth of knowledge.
Bob and his wife Agnes would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Nov. 24th 2025. In addition to his wife Agnes, Bob is survived by four sons; Vincent and wife Lisa Nelson, Jason and wife Debbie Nelson, Terrence and wife Evelyn Nelson, and Keane and wife Rachel Nelson. His four brothers; John (pre-deceased) and wife JoAnn Nelson, Richard and wife Carol Nelson, William and wife June Nelson, and David and wife Rita (pre-deceased) Nelson. Grandchildren; Vincent, Kiesha, Alexander, Desiree', Kimberlee, Noah, Blake, and Jacob; his step-grandsons; Nathan H., Nathan S., Justin and Daniel. His great-grandchildren; Austin and Grayson R., his step-grandchildren; Addiyson, Kylee, Grayson S., Isabella, and Diane, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Relatives and friends are welcome for viewing and visitation on Monday Nov. 10th 2025 from 4:00-6:00pm at Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast, Maine. Services will be held Nov. 15th 2025 at 10:00am for visitation at Knox Ridge Baptist Church in Knox, Maine, funeral Services will be held at 11:00am, followed by a celebration of Life.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.RipostaFH.com