Nils C. Nelson

Nils C. Nelson — Celebration of Life

Nils C. Nelson — March 26, 1949 – October 19, 2024

Nils C. Nelson, age 75, of Wilmington, DE, flew high to the heavens above on October 19, 2024, leaving behind 22 pairs of running shoes, a closet full of flannels with tags still intact, and a storage room full of his amazing Nils Nelson (“originals”) paintings and a multitude of other random items that spoke to the type of person he was.

Nils is survived by his loving sons: Patrick Mueller and Joshua Nelson; beautiful daughters, Sarah Angelone and Caitlin Nelson; amazing grandchildren aka his (“grands”) Noomi, Salvatore, Aven, Dominic, Dante, Christian, Nathan, Damien, and Emerson; his devoted longtime partner Susan Poth; sister Rita Edwards; and brother Nicholas Nelson along with many nieces and nephews, and friends whom he referred to as family.

He is predeceased in death by his parents Louis and Rita Nelson (aka Lou and Ritzy), brother Edward Mitchell, sister Bernadette Mitchell and other family members who graciously passed before him.

Nils was affectionately known by a plethora of names depending on the time in his life that you had the honor of loving him. He often went by the name Niles (although his mother named him Nils), Notty, Nitty, Nothead, Nit, Nigey, Papa Nige, Mayor, and Colonel Clean in his later years when his OCD really kicked in after his “grands” entered the world.

Nils attended Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School in Drexel Hill, Pa where he possibly caused a few teachers to retire early due to his ADHD antics. He ultimately decided to leave on his own accord to join the United States Army where he would serve his beloved country. Although his time overseas was cut short due to a severe automobile accident, Nils prided himself on his time in the service where he was released as a disabled Veteran and later discovered he had fathered “his clone” Patrick during his time in Germany.

Nils was a man of many, many trades. He worked in the sales industry for a majority of his life because of his outstanding ability to negotiate and his finessing ways. He later followed his passion for photography and painting with his business venture known as ‘The Creative Eye’.

He enjoyed a lot of things in the adventurous life he lived. He excelled and was an extreme perfectionist at each new hobby he undertook. You could often find him singing, dancing, running, painting, lectoring, beaching, eating the “finest” meals, befriending every new person who crossed his path, and faithfully walking 3 to 4 miles every day even in the depths of his hospital stays. You could always look forward to receiving a “sweaty selfie” after the completion of his daily walks if you were lucky enough.

Nils passed knowing that he lived each day to the fullest. He was grateful for every sunrise and sunset that he was able to witness. He began and ended each day with a smile which could also be seen in his piercing baby blue eyes. He prided himself on the wonderful family he created. He treated everyone he knew with the utmost respect and had the ability to even make a stranger feel special. He was a positive light in many people’s lives and the world was a much better place with him in it.

Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the truly exceptional physicians and nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Oncology and Medical-Intensive Care Units, who provided much more than medical care for Nils, but also provided a peaceful and compassionate environment during his transition from this life to the next. Nils was ultimately surrounded by those who loved him the most during his final breath. He found comfort in knowing that he would finally be reunited with “His Jesus”.

Philippians 4:13

Relatives & friends are invited to his Visitation Monday Morning October 28th 10:00 a.m. followed by his Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Parish 2400 N Providence Rd, Media, PA 19063.  Inurnment Private.

Contributions in Nils’ memory may be made to Chichester Rotary International at PO Box 1848 Boothwyn, PA 19061

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