BARRE - John Bernard Nelson, aged 87, passed away on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at Starr Farm Rehab & Nursing Center, Burlington, Vermont. He was born on June 27, 1929, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to Magnus and Catherine (Mullen) Nelson. John grew up in Boston and graduated from Quincy High School in 1947. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. Following his Navy service, he completed a full year of courses at Boston College. He worked as a corporate buyer for the Jordan & Marsh Co. before moving into a lucrative and rewarding career in sales that brought him and his young family to Vermont in 1961, making Barre, Vermont, home for more than 45 years. Over his long and successful career, he received many professional certifications, citations and awards, including a gold and diamond ring, which he cherished. John married Evelyn Flanagan on Aug. 8, 1953, at Saint Augustine's Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. They were happily married for 63 years. John was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and a past district deputy. He'd also been a member of the American Legion, VFW and a life member of Barre Elks Lodge #1535. He enjoyed rooting for all of his children at their sporting events and also coached Little League Baseball in the G.C.L.L. He was an avid fan of all Boston professional sports teams, cherishing their nine championships during his lifetime! He enjoyed camping and golf. He loved his dogs and cats, and was a master at Whist, the card game of his life. John is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of Burlington; his children, John, of Wilder; Tom and his wife, Estelle, of Essex Junction; daughters, Joanne and Kathleen, of Essex Junction; Richard and his wife, Katjana, of Somerville, Massachusetts; Robert, of Barre; grandchildren, Erin, of Denver, Colorado; Gregory, of Rochester, New York; Iliana and Sophia of Somerville, Massachusetts; and brother, George and his wife, Lee, Weymouth, Massachusetts; and many loving nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his beloved father, mother, four sisters and five brothers. He cherished all his family members, his entire life. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 79 Summer St., Barre, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at 1 p.m. Family and friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St.., Barre, on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will take place in the Hope Cemetery in Barre. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the of Vermont or the Vermont .