George Edwin Nelson
Our beloved and treasured George E Nelson joined his mother, father, and sister Elysse in heaven on Sunday, February 4 surrounded by family. Knowing his joy at being reunited with them comforts his brothers and their families. All who experienced George’s love will forever be blessed.
Luby and Raymond Nelson welcomed their youngest, most adored son George to their family on March 21, 1966. His sister Elysse and brothers, Steve, Barry and Patrick welcomed him home and began a life of laughter and joy. George loved welcoming people into his Nelson Family, especially his sisters-in-law, Marlene, Barbara, and Annette as well as his brother-in-law Skip Uskuraitis. George was treasured by his 10 nieces and nephews who were each given their own special nickname that defined who they were to him, with fierce competition arising for the title of “favorite niece”.
When not at home with family, George attended Clelian Heights School and later worked in the Clelian Heights workshop. He had a second family with Dewey and Alicia and all of his “crew” who resided with him at Chip’s House.
George loved many things in his life, but what he loved most was his family and music. You could always find him playing his harmonica and listening to country music and Blue Grass.
As mentioned, family was integral to George’s life. George looked forward to visits with his brother and sister-in-law to whom he lovingly referred to as “Marlene’s house”. Big Brother Steve spent countless hours with George playing music every time they were together. George’s favorite thing to do with Steve was attend the square dances at the Allwine Center. Words cannot express the joy he felt as he played his harmonica with Steve on stage.
He looked forward to his vacations in his Waynesburg home with his brother Barry and SIL Barb who was forever dubbed “his date”. George became a part of the St. Ann Church Family in Waynesburg, and also had the pleasure of becoming an official member of the St. Ann Knights of Columbus. One week a year George transformed into “The Hotdog Commander” at the K of C stand at the Greene County fair with his brother, Barry and fellow Knights.
Throughout George’s life, Skip was always a constant, entering his life at a very young age. George referenced “the boss” when speaking of Skip and loved his time living with Skip and Elysse during the years before Elysse’s passing. That time was treasured and will never be forgotten.
George began and ended his life in his Avonmore home. He lived with his “favorite” brother Pat and sister-in-law Annette, whom he enjoyed teasing and joking with every single day. Game Night was his favorite night of the week, and it brought him such joy to know that his family was together and laughing. Holidays in their home were still childlike – especially since “My Dad knows Santa”. George brought a sense of levity into any space he occupied. His joyful spirit was able to make any problem seem like it was just no big deal.
George taught all of us that:
-You can choose to be happy no matter how upset you were a moment before: “OK, I’ll be the happy George.”
-Everything can be your favorite
-Hugs are always required
-Always shake hands
-Laughter is always the best medicine: “Does your face hurt, ‘it’s killin’ me”
-Your mom is always listening and available for a chat, even if she is in heaven.
Friends were received on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. in St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 505 Cambria Ave., Avonmore, with Father John Euker as celebrant. Private interment in Westview Cemetery, Avonmore, at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in George’s memory to Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children, 135 Clelian Heights Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601-6665 or to the Knights Of Columbus Waynesburg, St. Ann Council 12703, 232 E. High St., Waynesburg, PA 15370-1821.