Obituary for Edward J Neilsen Jr.
Edward J. Neilsen Jr, 92, of Naples, FL, passed away on January 13, 2023 with his loving family by his side. Ed was born on January 11, 1931 to Edward J. Nielsen, Sr. and Mary V. Neilsen in Greenwich, CT. Ed attended St. Mary’s grammar school and two years at Greenwich high school before earning his GED. Ed went on to proudly serve our country in the United States Army with the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. As a Staff Sergeant, he served as a carpenter, heavy equipment operator, and airplane mechanic, building roads and constructing airplane communications towers on U.S. bases in both California and Alaska.
After his service, Ed began his long career as a master carpenter working many years for Franco Brothers, Inc. He opened his own company, EJN Builders in the 1980’s until his retirement in 2001. He loved his profession and was a proud member of the Connecticut Carpenters Union for 69 years.
Growing up in central Greenwich, Ed loved being surrounded by his family. His many aunts, uncles and cousins became an extension of his immediate family. In 1958, Ed married his true love, Patricia A. Masi in Greenwich, CT. Ed and Pat started a family of their own, raising two children, James E. Neilsen and Patricia E. McNair in the home he built in Cos Cob, CT.
In 2001 Ed & Pat retired and spent half of their time in Greenwich, CT and their beloved home away from home, Naples, FL. They welcomed family and friends to their home in Naples greeting each visitor by saying “Welcome to Paradise!” Ed became a full-time resident of Naples, FL after the passing of his wife in 2017 to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law.
Ed was predeceased by his parents Edward and Mary, wife Patricia and sister MaryEllen. He is survived by his children James and Patricia (James), grandchildren Joseph, Spencer, Annabella, Tessa, Nicole, and Austin, great grandchildren Liana and Landon, and his niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews he loved as his own.
Services will be held at Saint Mary’s Church, Greenwich, CT on February 3, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Ed’s Catholic faith inspired him to donate to many causes involving children. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Feed the Children https://www.feedthechildren.org/, an organization Ed regularly supported.
After his service, Ed began his long career as a master carpenter working many years for Franco Brothers, Inc. He opened his own company, EJN Builders in the 1980’s until his retirement in 2001. He loved his profession and was a proud member of the Connecticut Carpenters Union for 69 years.
Growing up in central Greenwich, Ed loved being surrounded by his family. His many aunts, uncles and cousins became an extension of his immediate family. In 1958, Ed married his true love, Patricia A. Masi in Greenwich, CT. Ed and Pat started a family of their own, raising two children, James E. Neilsen and Patricia E. McNair in the home he built in Cos Cob, CT.
In 2001 Ed & Pat retired and spent half of their time in Greenwich, CT and their beloved home away from home, Naples, FL. They welcomed family and friends to their home in Naples greeting each visitor by saying “Welcome to Paradise!” Ed became a full-time resident of Naples, FL after the passing of his wife in 2017 to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law.
Ed was predeceased by his parents Edward and Mary, wife Patricia and sister MaryEllen. He is survived by his children James and Patricia (James), grandchildren Joseph, Spencer, Annabella, Tessa, Nicole, and Austin, great grandchildren Liana and Landon, and his niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews he loved as his own.
Services will be held at Saint Mary’s Church, Greenwich, CT on February 3, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Ed’s Catholic faith inspired him to donate to many causes involving children. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Feed the Children https://www.feedthechildren.org/, an organization Ed regularly supported.