The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Samuel J. Nelson, a former Township Councilman and library trustee, passed away August 23, at his home in Franklin Park. He was 85.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Samuel and Evelyn (Deering) Nelson, and raised in Colonia, Mr. Nelson had been a Franklin Park resident for more than 50 years.
After graduating from Woodbridge High School, he served his country in the United States Navy from 1948 – 1952. Beginning as an adjuster, Mr. Nelson worked his way up the ranks during his 35 years with G.A.B. Business Services, before retiring as Regional Manager in 1993.
Mr. Nelson served as the Franklin Twp. Councilman at Large from 1971 – 1975. He later served on the Franklin Twp. Library Board from 1993 – 2008, as president for a number of those years, and was instrumental in the library’s renovation and expansion project.
Mr. Nelson loved to sew and restore furniture. A devoted husband and loving father and grandfather, he cherished time spent with his family.
Mr. Nelson was predeceased by his brother, Charles F. Nelson, in 2013.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Frankel) Nelson; by their children, James Nelson and his wife Audrey of Franklin Park, Linda Benson and husband Kurtis of Somerset, and Jeffrey Nelson and wife Vicki of York, Pa.; grandchildren, Lauren and Samuel Benson, and Rachael, Eryn, Joseph, and Michael Nelson; by his sister, Evelyn Nelson and brother James Nelson; and by a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton St. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Hillsborough Reformed Church 1 Amwell Rd. Hillsborough, followed by entombment in Franklin Memorial Park in North Brunswick.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Heart Association www.heart.org.
