Richard J. Nelson, Jr

Newport, RI - Richard J. Nelson, Jr.76, of Newport, RI, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at home.He was the husband of Mary Ellen Leahy Nelson. Born in West Hartford, CT, on September 25, 1934, he was the son of the late Richard J. Nelson and Margaret Manley Nelson. Richard attended St. Lawrence University Class of 1956 and belonged to the SAE Fraternity. He served as a Lt. in Korea, with the, 728 MP Battalion and then as a Capt. In the 43rd Division MP in the Connecticut National Guard. He had a great love and respect for the Military. After the military he started his own Graphic Design business. Mr. Nelson was a member of the Warwick and Newport Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also sat on the Board of House of Hope in Warwick, and volunteered in youth organizations for his sons. Richard was a devoted father and family man. His legacy will be his gentleness, generosity, kindness to all and his devotion and love to his family. Besides his wife of 49 years, he is survived by his sons, Richard John Nelson III and his wife Theresa of Atlanta, GA, John Leahy Nelson of Portsmouth, RI, Bradford Arth Nelson and his wife Courtney of Newport, RI and Peter Moore Nelson and his wife Kelly of Barrington, RI, his grandsons, Connor S. Nelson and Gavin M. Nelson of Barrington, RI, , his cousin Gail Hamblett, his two devoted nieces, Marcella Drezek and Regina Schuch and his beloved dog Nellie.Calling hours will be held on Monday, September 19, 2011, from 4-8pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 10:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown.Burial will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Lucy Church Building Repairs, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842 or to VNS, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.