NILSSON, ROLAND

October 8, 1934 June 11, 2021

Roland Nilsson of Lakewood, Colorado passed away quietly late Friday afternoon with family at his side. He is survived by his loving wife Raija of 64 years, his son Kjell and daughter Gunilla, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. “Valhalla; A place for the Nors Warrior. Wolves guarded it’s gates and gleaming shields protected it’s ceiling.” (Nors Mythology) The Swedish community lost a true warrior for the preservation of Swedish history, Culture and traditions. Mr. Roland Nilsson. Roland grew up in Stockholm Sweden. As a young man of 17 he joined the Swedish Navy. Soon after his obligation to the Swedish Navy Roland achieved his degree in engineering from the Swedish School of Technology, Stockholm. Roland had a love of the Sea, hired on with the Merchant Marines and sailed the world. He took on many responsibilities on board the ship as Chief of the engine room. When he retired from the Merchant Marines, Rolands plan was to be a successful businessman. His calling was, Engineering especially, Mining Machinery and Development. Again, He traveled the world putting his knowledge to work with Mining and Tunnel Machinery throughout Europe and the continent of Africa. His profession took him and his family to New Jersey and then to Colorado. Later on in Colorado he started his own successful Mining Machinery business in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Roland was Proud to be a U.S. Citizen. His love of Sweden was his contribution to all that he met on how important it was for him to promote Swedish heritage. He worked tirelessly to bring new businesses to the Denver area and was one of the founding members of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, Denver. He contributed to and organized Swedish organizations like The Swedish Club of Denver, The Scandinavian Ball of Denver, Swedish Alliance of Denver, Colorado, Swedish Genealogical Society of Denver, Swedish candlelight service at the Ryssby Church in Longmont, Colorado and the international fraternal organization “Vasa Order of America’’ where Roland has held many high positions to this very day. Roland Nilsson has touched the lives of many people around the world. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends in the American and Swedish communities. Celebration of life will follow.