ROCKLAND – Wayne P. Nelson, 81, died peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by the love of his family, Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Sussman Hospice house in Rockport.

Born in Rockland, March 25, 1941, he was the son of Lyndon and Gertrude Phillips Nelson. He was educated locally and was a 1959 graduate of Rockland High School. While in high school, Wayne met Beverly Clough on a blind, double date. His wife Beverly joked that he was an alternate for a boy who couldn’t go, however, she eventually warmed up to Wayne and at the end of the date, agreed to finally sit beside him in the backseat. It would appear that Wayne made such a lasting impression that the two were married on June 15, 1963.

Wayne had a keen interest in numbers and shortly following graduation, attended Bentley College where he earned an associate’s degree in accounting. After graduation, he and Beverly eventually settled in Rockland where they raised their three boys and have resided their entire married life. Wayne coupled his interest in numbers and mad organizational skills to build a career as an accountant. He worked several local businesses, eventually landing at the Courier Gazette where he held the position of Business Manager for the newspaper for several decades. Wayne leveraged these skills often by helping friends and neighbors complete their taxes on the side. Later, he worked for Farley and Son Landscaping as business manager, and even once owned and operated a Getty gas station in Rockport.

An avid outdoorsman, Wayne loved hunting and fishing, harvesting several deer and birds over the years. He especially enjoyed hunting with Bingo, the beloved family German Shorthair pointer. The origin of Bingo is still shroud in mystery, but the story shared is that David Farley dropped the dog off one day without prior warning and proclaimed “the boys need a dog.” Wayne especially loved hunting with Bingo, his father Lyndon and three sons, as well as close friend Butch Farley and his dog Baron. While the kids were young, Wayne participated in helping the State of Maine raise pheasant for local sportsman to hunt. Later in life, he even convinced Beverly to take a hunting course and join him in chasing birds up north, something we never thought mom would ever do. Much to our surprise she agreed and was very successful, we have pictures to prove it!

He loved sports, and was proud to have been a State Champion Golfer while in high school. Later, while raising a family, he was very active in the local men’s softball league as well as golfing at several local golf courses. He also enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and the New England Patriots.

Camping was also a passion of Wayne’s and he enjoyed camping with the family at Alfred Lake Family Campground in Hope, creating memories with other local families there as well. Later in life he especially loved camping at Moosehead Lake with Beverly while making new friends during these adventures.

He was active in his community, and was a lifetime member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks. He was also active in the Rockland Little League, serving as president when his children were young. It is a little known fact that
he was instrumental in the construction, preparation, and execution of the annual Santa’s Workshop mechanical holiday display put on by the Courier Gazette team. While they were young, his kids as well as children all over the Rockland area loved going to the workshop each year to mail their letter to Santa and gaze into the windows at the elves busy at work while Santa waved in the background.

Wayne had a heart for helping others, and never wished for any accolades for his deeds. For many years he invited a co-worker, Dick Dooley, who had no family to his home for the holiday’s, donated Christmas trees to needy families, and made many donations to area food pantries.

Wayne was a happy-go-lucky guy who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone he met. Sometimes this drove Beverly crazy as he would often stop during their walks on the Rockland boardwalk to speak with anyone familiar that he ran into thus, denying Beverly any workout she had hoped to achieve.

His laughter and smile will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his parents, Lyndon and Gertrude Nelson and an infant brother, Robert Dexter Nelson; Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly of Rockland; his sons, Scott Nelson and his wife Melissa of Hope, Craig Nelson of Warren, Daren Nelson and his wife Joanne of Thomaston; his grandchildren, Zachary Nelson and his wife Danielle, Jesse Nelson and his wife Sarah all of Hope, Lillian Nelson and Jakob Nelson both of Camden; as well as many close friends, one in particular, Vincent Pine, with whom he maintained a very close relationship since childhood and up until his passing.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either; The Sussman House, 40 Anchor Drive, Rockport, ME 04856; AIO Food Pantry and Energy Assistance, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841; or Oceanside Little League, P.O. Box 1424, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Wayne’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.