Harold C. Nelson

Harold Chester Nelson, 84, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024.  Born January 12, 1940 in Elgin, Illinois to Harold Chester Nelson and Anna Mae (Callahan) Nelson. Harold was a man who went by many names, had numerous hobbies, and was equipped with infinite talents.  First and foremost, a loving and compassionate husband to his wife of over 60 years, Lynnette La Marca. A caring Dad to four boys. Grandpa to three grandchildren he adored with every fiber in his body.  Harold met Lynnette in 1954, impressing her with his Blue Royal Nord Belgium bicycle. As their relationship grew, so did their love. They were engaged in 1962 and married in July 1963. Harold brought a sense of fun and freedom to Lynnette. Over the years, they shared their passions for travel, history, Scrabble, and their unwavering loyalty to the Chicago Cubs and Bears. Some of their favorite memories included a train trip taking them across the country to the Pacific Coast, the World War II Museum on a trip to New Orleans, the Ford Innovation Museum in Detroit, and all the Presidential Library tours in between. Familiar favorites included time spent with their grandchildren, including road trips down to Florida for spring training baseball and softball as well as train trips to Chicago with stops at Legoland and American Girl. Visits to Biloxi, Mississippi always held a special place in his heart as well.

He proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1961-1965 at the height of the Cold War. There he specialized in Aviation Electronics and later worked as an electrician at Barber Colman, Motorola, Wilson Electric, and Rockford Sanitary District, with entrepreneurial ventures mixed in between.  

He consistently gave back to his family and community. Roles included and not limited to Boy Scout Leader, Baseball Coach, and the local neighborhood handyman for those who needed an extra hand.. His world revolved around his four boys and family trips, including taking the family boat, “The Six Pack”, down the Mississippi River. Other adventures included road trips through the Smoky Mountains, camping in the Northwoods, and drives down to Biloxi for Po’ Boys on the Gulf of Mexico.  Harold was an avid supporter of small businesses, including countless get-togethers with his loyal friends forming the “Breakfast Club”. Being the social butterfly he was, there wasn’t a restaurant in town where he didn’t know an owner or employee. 

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Rosalie La Marca and Nicholas A. La Marca; and his best fur-buddies, Zipper Joe and Pepper Jean.  Harold is survived by his wife, Lynnette. The loving father of Michael (Kathy), Mark (Lori), Nicholas Scott (Cathy), and David. Compassionate grandfather of Marissa (Zack), Joshua (Fiona), and Hannah (Sam). The brother-in-law to Nicholas (Mary), uncle to Nicholas, Matthew (Vicki), and Meghan. He was incredibly grateful for his long time friendship with Bill W.  

Known by many, Loved by all.

Funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, IL 61111, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation starting at 9:30 A.M. until time of mass.

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