Obituary for J Nelson Jeldres
A man of the world, that's who J Nelson Jeldres was.
Born in Toledo, Spain in 1945, he grew up traveling in many countries before his family settled down in Chile. Between his Grandfather's farm in the countryside and his Mother's flat in Santiago, Nelson made life long friends and founded a career playing soccer. He took a big chance and moved to the United States leaving family behind. Between Miami and Boston, he learned English and became citizen to a country he felt at home in. Nelson played soccer professionally in the Early 1970s in Boston. When an injury sidelined his soccer aspirations, he turned to his second love, electronics.
He worked several jobs to afford college, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. Decades of work between Digital, Ion Trac, and ultimately at GE where he was a Senior Engineer, established a passion for traveling and teaching. His career had him travel extensively. First within Massachusetts, then the United States, then the globe. Nelson's ability to speak 5 languages suited his career well. Nelson ended teaching others on the use of Explosive and Narcotic Detection devices. He stamped several passports and befriended thousands as he visited 154 countries. Nelson made a connection with people, treating them the same regardless of where they lived or how wealthy they were.
During his life, Nelson had a positive impact on many. For some he was a father figure. For others he was a mentor. Quick with Dad jokes, he certainly knew how to make you smile. Oh, and Nelson was a car guy too. From his first Austin Mini Cooper to a Mustang Mach 1, his most treasured was a 1983 Delorean DMC-12.
He had a youthful spirit. At retirement, Nelson simply focused more time on things he had done all his life: Rollerblade, bike, visit friends, walk the beach, enjoy world music, dance, meet more people, garden, drink his favorite tea, target practice, eat great food (and sometimes cook), story tell, and travel some more.
God took Nelson home June 18, 2023 following years with lung cancer. He is preceded by his brother Enrique and his eldest son Alexander, and leaves behind his wife Ariane, their son Gabriel, his former wife Ludmilla, their daughter Angelica and her husband Nathaniel, his grandchildren Sage, Dimitri, and Mauricio, his sister Eliana and brother-in-law Juan Carlos, his nephew Pablo and his wife Carolina, and their children, a very large extended family from Vermont to southern Chile, and more great friends that one can count. God blessed our lives because Nelson was in it.
Graveside service at Swan Lake Cemetery in Dennisport, MA Saturday July 8th at 2pm.
Born in Toledo, Spain in 1945, he grew up traveling in many countries before his family settled down in Chile. Between his Grandfather's farm in the countryside and his Mother's flat in Santiago, Nelson made life long friends and founded a career playing soccer. He took a big chance and moved to the United States leaving family behind. Between Miami and Boston, he learned English and became citizen to a country he felt at home in. Nelson played soccer professionally in the Early 1970s in Boston. When an injury sidelined his soccer aspirations, he turned to his second love, electronics.
He worked several jobs to afford college, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. Decades of work between Digital, Ion Trac, and ultimately at GE where he was a Senior Engineer, established a passion for traveling and teaching. His career had him travel extensively. First within Massachusetts, then the United States, then the globe. Nelson's ability to speak 5 languages suited his career well. Nelson ended teaching others on the use of Explosive and Narcotic Detection devices. He stamped several passports and befriended thousands as he visited 154 countries. Nelson made a connection with people, treating them the same regardless of where they lived or how wealthy they were.
During his life, Nelson had a positive impact on many. For some he was a father figure. For others he was a mentor. Quick with Dad jokes, he certainly knew how to make you smile. Oh, and Nelson was a car guy too. From his first Austin Mini Cooper to a Mustang Mach 1, his most treasured was a 1983 Delorean DMC-12.
He had a youthful spirit. At retirement, Nelson simply focused more time on things he had done all his life: Rollerblade, bike, visit friends, walk the beach, enjoy world music, dance, meet more people, garden, drink his favorite tea, target practice, eat great food (and sometimes cook), story tell, and travel some more.
God took Nelson home June 18, 2023 following years with lung cancer. He is preceded by his brother Enrique and his eldest son Alexander, and leaves behind his wife Ariane, their son Gabriel, his former wife Ludmilla, their daughter Angelica and her husband Nathaniel, his grandchildren Sage, Dimitri, and Mauricio, his sister Eliana and brother-in-law Juan Carlos, his nephew Pablo and his wife Carolina, and their children, a very large extended family from Vermont to southern Chile, and more great friends that one can count. God blessed our lives because Nelson was in it.
Graveside service at Swan Lake Cemetery in Dennisport, MA Saturday July 8th at 2pm.