Nelson H. Progin

FRANCONIA - Nelson H. Progin, 75, of Franconia, N.H., and Port Orange, Fla., died peacefully, April 24, 2017.

Nelson graduated from Fitchburg High and immediately started working for his uncles, Arthur and Ken Progin's vending business, Lincoln Vending.

He married the former Leatrice Kinnunen. They lived at the family camp on Lower Naukeag Lake in Ashburnham with their daughter Claudia and son, Nelson III. During this time and for many years, Nelson was a great help in all ways to uncle George.

He established Crawford Motor Sales, and for 27 years, he sold automobiles and parts. Nelson was particularly talented at repairing, restoring and rebuilding cars from eclectic parts and then selling them. He developed extensive knowledge of autos and learned many related trades from uncle Karl who owned an automobile repair business himself. Nelson in fact learned to drive a manual transmission 1947 Crossley as a 10-year-old in Karl's garage and then taught his older brother, who was 12, the same skills!

His favorite hobbies were racing stock cars at Westboro and Brookline, hunting, and skiing on snow and water. He avidly followed stock car racing, especially the Ford cars, for many decades.

In later years, he and his wife moved to Franconia to be closer to their daughter and to Cannon Mountain. There he established an excavation company with a dump truck, backhoe and bulldozer. For many years, he successfully contracted out his services and single-handedly designed and built his homes. His friends marveled at his ability to conceptualize and build without plans.

He loved to entertain at The First Stop, as his home became known, close to Cannon in Franconia, where he welcomed one and all in every season.

Nelson generously gave countless hours of his time to friends and family over the years, for whatever project needed help, from car repairs to home improvements. He made many friends and was extremely loyal. As his health declined, his daughter and son-in-law were a huge help to him and his wife.

He was forced into retirement by a severe back injury several years ago and spent the last few winters in Florida to accommodate his wife. He was devoted to her, his children, his many friends and his two beloved grandchildren. They brought him much joy.

He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts.

He is survived by his wife and their two children, Claudia (Richard) Hunt of Sugar Hill and Nelson Progin III; two grandchildren, Leanza Hunt and Hanzon Hunt. His brother, Jim (Judy Holmes), and sister Ann (Ted) Hall also survive him, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
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SERVICES: 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, Attn: Executive Director Jeff Leich, PO Box 267, Franconia NH 03580-0267.