George Edward Nelson

George was born in Bridgeport, CT on September 8, 1929, the son of the late William H. Nelson and Alice Smith Nelson.

George grew up in Bridgeport, with a strong work ethic starting at age 8 selling magazines to factory workers in his neighborhood and a host of part time jobs before graduating from High School Class of 1947. In 1953, he completed an 8000-hour certified apprenticeship for plastic mold making and designing. He was a tireless worker and enthusiastic about the growth of the plastics industry. In 1955, he and his partner formed a business specializing in designing and building molds for the plastics industry. Over the next 30 years George will lead Nelson & Eckert Corporation to design and produce plastic molds of all types in North America. Later he would become North American General Manager of Moldflow a software company specializing in the design of plastic molds. For the years up to his retirement in 2010 he was principal of Stonel Associates, a consulting firm for the plastics industry. George also lectured and taught plastic molding and design at colleges and contributed to mold making textbooks and was an expert technical witness on matters to the industry.

For over 50 years George was an active member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) becoming President of the Connecticut division in 1971 and served national roles as Chairman of the Mold Making and Mold Design Division receiving the Presidents Cup in 1981 and was the first recipient of the Mold Maker of the year award 1992.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” - Proverbs 28:20

George was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bridgeport CT and later for 50 years as a member of Golden Hill United Methodist Church also in Bridgeport. Serving leadership roles in both churches including Sunday school leader, Trustee, Chair of the Administration Board, and head of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.

George is survived by the love of his life Barbara Joan Carlson Nelson who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on March 29th. He is also survived by four of his five children, Diane Shoja, and her husband Massud, of Bloomingdale NJ, Jon Nelson of Seymour CT, Glen Nelson of Boston MA, Christy Sheehy, and her husband James of South Kingston RI as well as his sister-in-law Peggy Nelson of Oxford CT.

George also leaves behind (9) grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, Heather, Jessica, Katherine, Justin, Matthew, Lauren, and Timothy. and (7) great grandchildren, Brooke, Eli, Ava, Grant, Samantha, Lia, and Wyatt and (7) nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, George is preceded by the death of his beloved son William (Bill) Nelson and his daughter in law Bonnie Nelson. His in-laws, Oscar and Helen Carlson. His brother William who died during the WW2 invasion of Saipan, brother’s David, and Lawrence both of whom he spent years working together in business and cherished their time with each other enjoying family gatherings, holidays, and vacations. His sisters- in- law Lois Martin and Merle Carlson and brother-in-law Daniel Martin.

George was both a leader and a doer and loved to be with his family and friends. He had deep-rooted friendships from his 70 years of membership in the Couple’s Club and his membership in the Square-Dancing Club in the early 1960’s yielded some of his closest friends like Leigh and Ann Dannenberg and John and Rita Gealow.

He worked hard and played hard, traveling to many countries over six continents and for 30 years organized an annual weekly ski trip to Vermont or caravans of friends to Daytona Beach, or a climbing expedition to Mount Washington, houseboat trips and water skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. He was a voracious speed reader and loved friendly conversation, trivia, gourmet food, theater, and opera. He had an enthusiastic sense of humor and a big infectious laugh. To his children he was dear old dependable dad always there to help, he was staunchly loyal and devoted to his friends and family and a stand-up dependable man in business.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11am-1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s memory to Golden Hill United Methodist Church [email protected] or GHUMC 210 Elm Street, Bridgeport CT 06604.