NELSON, Warren L.
Warren L. Nelson
May 22, 1927 – October 5, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Warren Nelson on October 5 at the age of 97. Warren leaves behind his wife Judy, his children David (Fiona), Amy, and Kate, 6 grandchildren Isabelle, Oliver, Benjamin, Samuel, Malcolm and Meeka, and his older sister Barbara.
Warren was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to Ina (née Elliott) and Leonard Nelson, on the same day that Lindbergh made his flight across the Atlantic. The son of a math and science teacher, he naturally took to science and studied chemical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He went on to do a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma, then took a job at Air Liquide in Montreal. That was the beginning of a long and successful 37-year career, in which he rose to director of process engineering for North America and contributed several inventions and patents to the field. He also enjoyed travel to the headquarters in Paris and we were often regaled stories about wonderful food and French wine.
Warren took to many hobbies after he left Saskatchewan - he became a talented and graceful downhill skier, learned how to sail and loved racing at the Pointe Claire Yacht Club. He loved art and collected prodigiously, particularly Inuit art and sculpture. He was always on the lookout for a new acquisition.
In 1960 Warren went on a spring ski trip in place of a friend and met Judy at the cabin where they were both staying. Judy wasn’t an expert skier, but she had made a pie for the weekend, and that was it for Warren. They married in October the same year at Judy’s parents’ house in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
They settled in NDG in Montreal where their three children were born, and where they formed a tight community in the neighbourhood, bonds that have lasted to this day. In 1979 the family moved to California when the company relocated to San Francisco. Warren bought a camper, and the family spent many summers exploring the beautiful west coast, and winters skiing around Lake Tahoe.
In 1993 Warren retired, and he and Judy moved back to Canada, first to Belleville where they again found a wonderful community, and recently to Ottawa where they would be closer to Kate and David. Warren was a thoughtful and quiet person, with a quick sense of humour. He loved to tell a good story and share a glass of good wine, and was kind and generous with his time. A loving husband and wonderful father, he will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on November 15th at 11 am at St Margaret’s, 206 Montreal Road, Ottawa. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Please contact amynelson@mac.com for details if you plan to attend.
In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to make a memorial donation please consider the Inuit Art Quarterly or Médecins Sans Frontières.
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