Paul Stephen Nelson

Paul Stephen Nelson, 80, of New Britain, died unexpectedly on December 14, 2024. He was predeceased by his father Carl S. Nelson and his mother Marion (Towle) Nelson.

Paul graduated from Bristol Eastern High School and earned an Associate degree from CCSU. He served in the Navy and was stationed at Newport, R.I. as a TraDevMan. (Training device man meaning he taught pilots how to fly on a simulator.) After the Navy he worked at Pratt and Whitney building jet engines until he realized working third shift was not a great choice to start a marriage. (His fiancé helped him with that!) His primary career was at IBM (Big Blue) then Kodak (little yellow) as a copier repair man. He drove a truck for EPPCO for many years and also toiled as a tow truck driver for Story Brothers.

Paul’s passion was vintage cars. He owned and repaired many from his teen years right up until his death. His favorite model was a black 1940 Ford. He was delighted to display its license plate: ITZA4TY. He would watch people in his rearview mirror trying to figure it out and then smile when they did. He would go to various car shows especially enjoying the ones at Klingberg Center and Southington on the Green. It was his opportunity to sit around and have plenty of guy talk and of course solve all the problems in the world. He also loved his 1931 Model A and was a member of the Ford Model A Club.

He leaves behind his wife Carol (Politis) Nelson; his son Dan and wife Danielle of O’Fallon, MO; and his daughter Denise and husband Gregory of Hopedale, MA. He also leaves his brother David and wife Delza of Elkton, FL.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, December 19 from 5 to 7 PM and on Friday, December 20 from 9 to 10 AM at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad Street, Plainville. A Service in Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 355 Camp St, Bristol, CT 06010. Burial with full military honors will follow at Forestville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ray of Light Farm, 232 Town Street, East Haddam, CT 06423 or by going to www.rayoflightfarm.org.

For more information or to leave online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.

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