Neal taught me a great deal.  We worked together for 8 years and I kept up with him fur many years.  Our desks were next to each other for two years.   I will always remember him

Sending my condolences to the Nelson family. I still remember meeting Neal when I was eight years old, as he would interview all incoming campers to the Horizon Day Camp Program at the time. Going to Horizon over the course of nine summers was an incredible experience, one that greatly contributed to my growth as a person, and one that led to the formation of many friendships that I still maintain to this day. To say that Neal has had an impact on my life would be an understatement, and I am sure that many others who had attended Horizon and who have gotten to know Neal over the years feel the same. Neal will always be with us in spirit, and the memories and experiences that he has helped create for us will last a lifetime.

-Andrew Penner 

My deepest condolences to the Nelson family. It's hard for me to overstate the enormous impact Neal had on my life. I was one of thousands of children to be enriched by the innovative program Neal created at Camp Horizon and maintained for over 30 years. The summers I spent as a camper at Horizon were among the happiest periods of my childhood, and helped me to develop my life-long love of the performing arts. When I have 15, Neal became my first boss when he hired me to work as a counselor and run the lower camp theater program. I wasn't sure at the time I was really ready for such responsibility, but like the great educator he was, Neal believed in me, mentored me, and gave me the tools to succeed. I grew more confident in the work I was doing, and eventually Neal entrusted me to run the upper camp theater program. To this day, I have never worked for anyone more supportive, more funny or more big-hearted. I can safely say I would not have ultimately pursued a career in education and would not currently be working as a high school Social Studies teacher if Neal had not afforded me the opportunities he did. He was a very special man, and I will always remember him with great love and respect. May his memory be a blessing. 

I want to start by offering my condolences to Carol, Eric and the entire Nelson family.  I know that you have lost a valued member of your family.  No one, outside my immediate family, has influenced me more than my partners, Neal and Dave.  Since I met Neal, more than 35 years ago. every program that I started was a reflection of his ideas and support.   Neal taught me to be a better administrator and how to design and start new programs.  I found Neal easy to work with because you always knew where he stood.  What always came through was his love of children and concern for their welfare and development. Whenever we had an issue with a college administrator, we sent in Neal and he resolved the situation.

I would like to relate one story that I feel best reflects who Neal was. One day a young woman showed up at our college program.  Her father was in prison and her mother had significant issues.  She had been accepted at NYIT but knew she needed our VIP program.  She had saved $300 for her tuition, which at the time was over $25,000.  We learned that she had attended my wife’s school. I excused myself and called my wife.  She said that she was a wonderful girl who had overcome significant challenges.  Dave and I called Neal and explained the situation.  We said that we might have to create a scholarship for her.  Neal immediately said “Do it and just tell me how much you need from me.”  That was Neal.

With Neal’s passing, I not only lost a mentor, but Kristy and I have lost a dear friend. Neal will always be in our hearts.


I want to send condolences to the Nelson family. Neil Nelson and Jim Rein and I were partners for over twenty years. Together we started and ran seven programs for special needs youngsters. 
Neil was the dynamo behind the scenes who got us going and fought the battles for all those years. He brought Jim and I to NYIT and stood behind us when things got tough. Neil was a fighter, but he also had a big heart. He loved being able to contribute to the lives of the disabled people that we served. He also had a great understanding of business and leadership. 
There seemed to be three things about which he was passionate, business, sports but more than anything his family. 
Neil always gave you the feeling that everything he did was to support and strengthen his family. 
Neil worked into his eighties to make sure that they would all be okay. He was one of a kind, he worked hard, played hard, and loved hard. 
Looking back on my life I know that Neil Nelson had a profound influence on me. Like all partners we didn’t always agree. One thing was certain though you always knew where Neil stood. 
Neil made me his partner, taught me business, and when the chips were down he stood tall for Jim Rein and I and all of the special needs young people that we helped. He changed many lives, and certainly mine was one of those. 
Rest In Peace Neil. Your life had great meaning. 




First I want to offer my condolences to the entire Nelson family, many of whom I worked and played with. As Program Director for the Majors at Horizon for 27 summers, Neal and I got to know each other very well.  It wasn’t always easy to gain Neal’s trust and respect, but we hit it off rather early and obviously could never have survived 27 years together if we did not share mutual respect. But we also enjoyed each other’s company, with Neal sharing stories of his life from a bygone era. I learned a great deal about business from Neal and incorporated many of his strategies in my own entrepreneurial pursuits. But mostly, I will carry in my heart and mind the challenges we faced, the hoops we jumped through at NYIT, the fun we shared, and the relationship we both so valued. Not enough space for me to start sharing specific recollections and stories. 

My father and I were not particularly close and he passed when I was only 26, so Neal was very much a father figure to me. I know the last few years were not easy, but I treasure the lunch that Howard and I shared with Neal for his 92nd birthday and for lunch last year at Ben’s, one of his favorite places with Diane and Howard. Neal, you lived quite a life. Time to rest in peace. You’ve earned it. 

Now if by any chance there is something after this life, Neal is probably working on this coming week’s choice sheet for his camp for recent arrivals. Now that would be quite a scene! 

Neal was my first "boss."  Although he was my "boss" I quickly saw him as something more.   He was a mentor and made me feel like a family member.  
At the age of 14 he hired me to be a counselor.  Before I was even old enough to be in college, Neal entrusted me to be a head counselor,  head of gifted athletics and gifted rocketry.  His trust and guidance helped me become a leader and eventually part of the camp adminstration.  He is part of the reason I went on to be a teacher and a coach.  I will forever be grateful to have had him in my life. 
My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.  
-Seth Skolnick 

My profound condolences to you and your family. Neal was an incredible person and I was very blessed to have in my life. He was a very giving and caring man that guided me with his wisdom and experience. I have many found memories at Horizon Day Camp and during the many years following  when he help me set up my own sport camp. I always cherished our conversations and the stories that he would share. He was truly a mentor to me and I continue to follow the example that he set for me in my life. I know that there is a new angel up in heaven looking down upon each of us. May he rest in joyful peace.
Chris Marino

OBITUARY

Neal Nelson

January 26, 1927 – November 5, 2020

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

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