Eric D. Nelson

December 3, 1958 - October 1, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric D. Nelson on October 1, 2026, at the age of 67.

Eric was born on December 3, 1958, in Roslyn, New York, to Neal and Carol Nelson. He graduated from Herricks High School in 1977, attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, and graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in 1982.

Eric began his career in television broadcast at Cablevision on Long Island. He continued to broaden his experience at MTI and NBC in New York City, working on Dateline, The Barbara Walters Specials, and NBC Sports. It was with NBC Sports, and his coverage of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, that Eric earned an Emmy Award for technical production. A dual career move brought Eric and his family to Indiana, where he held the position he enjoyed most, with the Indiana Pacers. Despite his early departure due to health issues, he kept up active friendships with most everyone he worked with, often over breakfasts at questionable diners.

Eric and Ann loved to travel and saw much of the world with friends, most recently New Zealand, where Eric reconnected with his friend Mike Lewis. They traveled to Africa and Italy with Fr. Jim Farrell, went fishing in remote Alaska with Jeff and Leah Mosley, and shared Belize, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, and countless adventures with Kit and Ken Leong. Eric also enjoyed countless fishing trips with Ann and the kids, including the most recent grouper heist with Lauren, George, and George's father, George Mammarella Sr. At home, he enjoyed reading, watching sports, working on cars with his sons Jeremy and Andrew, and spending time with his pets. Lauren and Eric were always sharing what was on their TBR (to-be-read) list. He was passionate about photography, always with "real cameras," as he called them. Unfortunately, those cameras never made any of the trips, but Ann Marie always carried her iPhone, which captured much of his life.

His sense of humor, unwavering patience, and natural ability to fix nearly anything were frequently tested by his three children. This included computers that kept homework from being submitted, home repairs, and lots and lots of car issues.

In later years, Eric faced increasing medical challenges, but his uncompromising attitude turned every one of them into an adventure. Radiation treatment in New York meant stops at Katz's Deli and Vincent's Clam Bar. Of course, every visit to New York included a visit with Bill Holthausen, his earliest childhood friend. A transplant consultation in Chicago meant deep dish pizza. Johns Hopkins required crab cakes, and every visit to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota ended at Pannekoeken. Through it all, Eric and his family were grateful for the endless support and friendship of Lana and Garrett Wietholter.

Eric is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ann Marie; his three children, Lauren Mammarella (George), Jeremy Nelson, and Andrew Nelson; and his sisters, Carla Meyer and Lori Cooper. He was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Carol Nelson, and his in-laws, Robert and Catherine Fleming.

The family extends special thanks to Drs. Anne Greist and Magdelena Lewandowska and the entire staff of the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center; Dr. Nabil Adra of the IU Simon Cancer Center; the Perlmutter Cancer Center; and the Mayo Clinic for their incredible care.

Visitation will be held at Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery Chapel, 9001 Haverstick Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46240 on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:00 am. Officiate by Fr. James Farrell.