WESTFIELD – Bruce W. Nielsen, 69, of Westfield, died Thursday, April 17, 2014 after a 15 month battle with leukemia. He was born December 8, 1944 to the late Charles and Ida (Fritz) Nielsen.
He was a US Army veteran serving in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star. He worked as an electrician all his life. Bruce was the wiring inspector for the City of Westfield for several years. He also worked for the Westfield Gas & Electric, retiring in 2000, which is when he bought his dream home in Lee, ME. He was an avid outdoorsmen, enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially raising and running his many beagles. He was also an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Bruce was very active in the Westfield Little League and American Legion Baseball, coaching and doing maintenance on the ball fields. He worked many hours creating the Senior League field at Hampton Ponds. He was a member of American Legion Post 124 and was also a member of Easthampton and Holyoke beagle clubs.
He leaves his wife of 45 years, Beverly (Zink) Nielsen; their children, Debra Aldrich and her husband Steven, Dana and his wife Sarah; grandchildren, Lily, Charlotte, Annabelle and Ruby Nielsen and Brody and Katherine Aldrich. He also leaves his brother, Wayne and his wife Kathy; his sister-in-law, Barbara Nielsen of DE, his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Barbara Kanzinger of PA. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles.
The funeral will be Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Noble Hospital, 115 W. Silver Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
www.firtionadams.com
