Allan Nelson

Montville — Allan Nelson, 85, of Uncasville, joined his wife in Heaven on Dec. 26, 2016.

Allan “Al” was born Nov. 24, 1931 in Norwalk. He was a devoted servant in the Lord’s service throughout his life, always having a kind word or smile for everyone he met or knew. He was the son of the late Arnold and Laura (Canfield) Nelson. Mr. Nelson was a Navy veteran serving in the Korean War aboard the USS Loeser — DE680.

He married the love of his life, the former Janet “Jan” Kellogg, on April 18, 1953. Al and Jan had known each other since the age of 14 and were high school sweethearts. Mrs. Nelson died May 24, 2006, after 53 years of marriage. Together they not only raised their own children, but were “parents” to 19 foster babies and three foster children. Al was a Southern New England Telephone pioneer having worked for the company for 39 years, retiring in 1993. Al and Jan were active members of the First Congregational Church of Norwich, where he served as a deacon, greeter and member of the choir with a strong baritone voice for 42 years. He was active with the Boy Scouts the majority of his life and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 100 in Montville. He was also an avid blood donor of the American Red Cross having donated blood and platelets for many years.

He is survived by two children and their spouses, Lori and Karl Jensen of Ledyard and Kenneth and Denise Nelson of Griswold; he is also survived by a granddaughter, Haley Jensen.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. April 29, 2017, at the First Congregational Church of Norwich, 81 E. Town St., Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Congregational Church, 81 E. Town St., Norwich, CT 06360