ORONO, Maine – Having lived a long and joyful life, and surrounded by loved ones, Hazen Edward Nelson, 91, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Dirigo Pines in Orono, ME. Born on April 30, 1926, in Stockholm, Hazen was a 1944 graduate of Caribou High School, a 1946 graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy and a 1958 Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Maine.
Hazen traveled the world as a Merchant Marine, a US Naval Engineering Officer during the Korean War and as a Consulting Engineer for Stone and Webster. He spent a distinguished career managing nuclear, power, petrochemical and desalination projects and held patents for Desalination and Power Co-generation, which are still referenced today.
He was married to P. Joan Nelson in 1954, and for 36 years celebrated an extraordinary marriage built upon deep love and respect. Hazen’s life-long hobbies included photography, fishing, and golf, and he enjoyed sharing his passions by teaching others.
Hazen is remembered for his kindness, integrity and generosity; his love and devotion to his family and friends; his passion for Maine; his intellect and ingenuity.
Hazen was predeceased by his parents, George Carl Nelson and Maud (Rugan); his wife, P. Joan (Young); daughter, Phyllis Gray; infant grandson, Samuel Cory; brother, G. Clayton Nelson; and brothers-in-law, Ted Stone and Mahlon Niles.
He is survived by his children, Eric Nelson and wife, Peggy Krusell, of Fairfax Station, VA; son, John Nelson and wife, Betty, of Roanoke, VA; daughter, Wendy Cory and husband, Steve, of Alpharetta, GA; son-in-law, Peter Gray of Jericho, VT; siblings, Lois Stone of Gardiner, ME, Edith Niles of Kittery, ME, Wanda Orino and husband, James, of Rumford, ME; sister-in law, Muriel Nelson of Madawaska, ME; Neal Nelson and wife, Ellie, of Rutland, MA, Dana Nelson and wife, Sandra, of Ellsworth, ME; grandchildren, Andrew Gray, Kristen Jafflin, Carl Nelson, Mike Nelson, Alex Cory, Antoni Saade, Annie Nelson; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Lily, and Marty; goddaughter, Emily Nelson; many nieces and nephews; and his special friend and companion, Rebecca Briggs of Palmyra, ME.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Mary-Carol Griffin officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share memories and refreshments following the service at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street. Those who wish to remember Hazen in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the PKD Foundation (support.pkdcure.org/goto/HazenEdwardNelson) or by mail, PKD, 1001E. 101st Terrace, Suite 220, KC, MO 64131 Attn: Honoring Hazen Edward Nelson. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
The family is grateful for all your kind thoughts and prayers.
