Nelson E. Ake

Mr. Nelson Eugene Ake, 94, of Boxford, Massachusetts passed away on January 14th after battling, for several years, from the effects of numerous strokes. Nelson was born May 15, 1920 in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1937 and from Pennsylvania State University in 1950. On August 31, 1950 he married Kathryn (Breon) Ake. Nelson witnessed great change in the world. He grew up in Pennsylvania on a self-sufficient farm without electricity or running water. He attended a one-room school house, where his father was the only teacher. After high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic. Nelson served his Country from October 4, 1941 until August 31, 1945 as part of the 367th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group. During his entire term of service, he was never able to secure leave to return home. Nelson was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his work in the European Theater of Operations, in recognition of his, "conspicuously meritorious and outstanding performance of military duty." Nelson worked as an electrical engineer for several companies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. After retirement, Nelson spent his free time making pewter jewelry, clocks, and vases. He and Kathryn would spend weekends selling his 'wares' at local craft fairs. Unlike many of his generation, Nelson embraced life's constant change. He appreciated the power of the computer and the wonder of digital photography. His computer's hard drive has more than 5,000 photos of his family and friends, as well as the scenery that he loved: the fall's changing leaves and the winter's snow. Nelson was affectionately known as 'Pap' by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others in the Tri-Town community, as he was an active supporter of his son, Mark and grandsons, David and Brian on the baseball diamond. He rarely missed a game and proudly wore a t-shirt that proclaimed, 'Pap: the Man, the Myth, the Legend.' Nelson is survived by his five children: Phoebe Schulz and her husband Bob of Hillsborough, NJ, his son, William Ake of Bennington, NH, his daughter Patricia Boyce and her husband Michael of Ellsworth, ME, his son, Douglas Ake of North Bridgton, ME, and his son Mark Ake and his wife Margaret of Topsfield, MA. He also leaves three grandchildren - April Bilenkin, David Ake, and Brian Ake; three great-granddaughters - Abby, Sadie, and Lucy Bilenkin; and one great-grandson - Theodore Bilenkin. He is also survived by one brother, Walter Ake of Altoona, PA and one sister, Wilma Miller of Martinsburg, PA. ARRANGEMENTS: Nelson and Kathryn will be fondly remembered in June at a private, graveside service held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com