James E. Nelson

August 22, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Sylvia “Sally” Nelson; loving father of Diane; dear brother of Barbara(Ed), Linda and Paul (Debbie). No prior visitation. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service Saturday morning, September 23rd at 11 o’clock at PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS, BEACH-TUYN FUNERAL HOME, 1671 Maple Road, Williamsville. Online condolences at www.beachtuynfh.com.

NELSON - James E. “Jim”

August 22, 2023, of the village of Williamsville, NY. The husband of the late Sylvia Nelson (Sally) and son of the late Paul and Evelyn Nelson are survived by his siblings Barbara (Ed), Linda, Paul, (Debbie), and daughter Diane. Born in Buffalo, NY, Jim was a Lancaster High School state champion football all-star and record holding track athlete. Jim attended Michigan State University playing football with the 1955 Big ten and 1956 Rose Bowl Champion Michigan State University Spartans. After returning to Lancaster, Jim married Sally and moved to Williamsville. Jim was drafted and served in the United States Army as a chaplain's clerk at the Seneca Army Depot until late 1961. Jim’s illustrious career as an engineer at Scott Aviation, Lancaster, NY spanned over 36 years. Jim, a talented designer, and prototype machinist was awarded ten patents for innovative respiratory, protective equipment, and safety devices supporting firefighters, homeland security, police squads, hospitals, commercial and military aircraft. Jim not only designed but participated in the testing of Scott lifesaving equipment. Jim was pictured in Life Magazine (Dec 1968) testing escape and life support equipment used in NASA Apollo programs. Most notably his patented designs supporting the “Scott Air Pak” contributed to the success of a firefighting oxygen system which continues to be an industry standard and has saved enumerable lives. These and other systems are on display at the Greater Lancaster Museum of Firefighting in the village of Lancaster, NY. Jim, a graduate of University of Buffalo with a BA in Business Administration, was also a local business owner. Founder and president of New Product Development (NPD) Corporation in Williamsville, NY. NPD Corporation designed and marketed automatic sump pump controls called the “Tub Tender" that automatically sensed and activated sump pumps for laundry tubs and basements sumps. These devices were originally sold at Barney Millers now Ed Youngs Hardware in Williamsville and later distributed throughout the US and Canada by Erb Company Buffalo, NY. Jim, a talented die maker and machinist personally designed and built the molds and manufacturing processes for production. Jim’s home machine shops were stuff of neighborhood legend. Jim would fix or build anything the family, church and neighbors could ask of him. His greatest achievements were as a family man and husband to his lovely wife Sally. Jim and Sally’s friendly wave on the front porch to passing neighbors and treats for the dogs will be missed. No prior visitation. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service Saturday morning, September 23rd at 11 o’clock at PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS, BEACH-TUYN FUENRAL HOME, 1671 Maple Road, Williamsville. Online condolences at www.beachtuynfh.com.