Smith & Heald Funeral Home

09/06/2026

Rogene R. Porter

Rogene R. Porter, 101, longtime resident of Brookline, NH, died Monday, September 1, 2026, after a brief period of declining health.

She was born on August 20, 1925, in Leominster, MA, a daughter of the late Thomas Neil and Esther Abbie (Harris) Reynolds.

Rogene was raised in Brookline and graduated with the Milford High School Class of 1943. She married her high school sweetheart, Del Porter, in 1945, upon his return from service in WorldWar II.

Over the years, Rogene did secretarial work for Merrimack Farmers Exchange and OK Tool in Milford, as well as for Thomas F. Moran Surveying and ReproTech, Inc. She was a member of the Brookline Historical Society and a holder of the Boston Post Cane. Rogene enjoyed homemaking and was an excellent seamstress, painter, and baker, with a special talent for all forms of needlework. She remained active with a group of hookers (as inrugs!) and loved to read. Some of her fondest memories included winters spent in Bowling Green and Cape Coral, Florida.

Rogene was predeceased by her husband of 76 years, Delbert W. "Sonny" Porter; her sister, R. Marjorie Moran; and her brothers, Roger, Roland, and Stanley Reynolds. She is survived by her sister, Louise Paquette; her nieces, June Harris, Jo Wadleigh and Gail Nazgelis; her nephews,Wayne Reynolds, Thomas Reynolds, Stephen Murray and William Clogston; and each of their families.

SERVICES: In accordance with her wishes, services will be held privately. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Brookline.

Arrangements are in the care of the Smith & Heald Funeral Home,63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.smithheald.com.

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09/01/2026

Clare J. Callahan

Clare J. Callahan, 80, lifetime resident of Milford, NH, died on August 30, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

She was born on August 5, 1946, in Nashua, NH, the daughter of James Pratt and Christine (Hutchinson) Pratt. Clare was raised and educated in Milford, having graduated from Milford High School, Class of 1964.

For many years, Clare served her community as the Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Milford. She was a familiar, welcoming presence at Town Hall, known by residents for her warm personality and a kind smile that greeted everyone who walked through the door. She truly loved helping people and brought a genuine sense of care to her work every day.

Clare enjoyed scrapbooking but most especially spending time with her loving family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Callahan who died in 2022.

Family members include her daughter, Jennifer Mack and her fiancé, Chris MacDonald of Francestown, NH; a grandson, Joseph R. Mack and his girlfriend, Renee Vidito of Milford, NH, two great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Paisley; a bonus daughter, Frankie Clarke of Milford, NH, and her daughter, Autumn Clarke.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 9th from 5:00-7:00pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. Burial will be private. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com

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08/28/2026

Joanna "Joey" Mercier

Joanna Mercier passed away from natural causes on November 2, 2025. Born as Aura Mirjam Säntti in Finland on October 1, 1926, she grew up in Milford and was a member of the class of 1944 at Milford High School, adopting Joanna as her "American" name. She was the only child of John Peter Säntti and Julia (Lokkinen) Säntti.

During her senior year, she married Phillip Albert Mercier, Jr of Nashua NH. They moved to Nashua before moving to Los Angeles in 1950. Three children came along in the 1950's - daughter Julie Anne, son Phillip Albert III, and son Keith David.

Joanna worked hard for her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and became a social worker for Los Angeles County in 1969. She later earned her Master's degree in Gerontology from California State University in Dominguez Hills. Her greatest love was Greek folk dancing at the various church festivals and dance clubs in Southern California.

She was predeceased by her former husband Phillip in 2000, both of her sons in 2017 and a cousin, Robert A. Johnson.

She is survived by her daughter Julie (Petri) Kuusilehto of Finland along with 3 great grandchildren, James Imperio, Meghan Imperio, and Oceania Imperio of Glendale California, second cousins in New Hampshire, including, Dale R. Johnson and Jeffrey B. Johnson, and cousins abroad in Finland. She is also survived by her very best friend, Patricia "Pat" Karamanougian.

Joanna will be buried in Riverside Cemetery between her parents after graveside services on August 26, 2026.

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08/27/2026

Thomas F. Quinn

Thomas F. Quinn, 71, longtime resident of Amherst, NH, died at his home on August 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a brave and mighty fight with cancer.

He was born on May 2, 1955, in Cambridge, MA, the fourth of six sons of the late John and Bertha (Carpenter) Quinn.

Tom grew up in Lexington, MA and attended Lexington Public Schools. He is a graduate of Boston College Class of 1977 and earned a JD from Suffolk University in 1980. He worked as a Land Use Attorney for 46 years serving individual families, community projects and commercial development.

Tom met Judy, the love of his life, when he was 15 and they were married on September 3, 1977. They shared 49 wonderful years of marriage together. In 1985, they purchased their home in Amherst, where they raised their children and he lived for the remainder of his life. Over those 41 years, he dedicated himself to the landscaping and upkeep of his cherished home.

Tom’s greatest joy was his family. He prioritized time together, often working predawn hours to make time for coaching, drop offs and pickups, and always family dinner. Nothing made him happier than sitting around the table with loved ones and a home cooked meal. As the years went on, he lovingly welcomed his children's partners, and counted them as his own. He never forgot the sacrifices his own parents made to provide for him. He drew on those values and they guided and shaped the way he lived his life.

As an active volunteer, Tom served on several Boards. He joined the Milford Rotary Club where he found a community of like minded people and loyal friends who provided a deep sense of fulfilment. It was through the Milford Rotary where he discovered the 100 Holes Golf Tournament and his love for the sport. He will be remembered for his big heart and his capacity for supporting others.

Tom approached his cancer diagnosis with courage and optimism that was inspiring to those around him. He relied on his Faith for strength and comfort. While treatment options were limited, he took pride in participating in emerging therapies to contribute to scientific discovery. Tom, Judy and their family are deeply grateful to the numerous members of his medical team for their compassionate care and determination to provide him with more time.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Judy Quinn; his six children, Catherine Quinn (and her husband, Kevin), Annie Williams (and her husband Franklin), Margaret Brinson (and her husband Antwon), Devin Quinn (and his wife, Jeanine), Cameron Quinn (and his wife, Sara), and Brett Quinn; and his 8 beloved grandchildren, Dominique, Khiam, Emery, Eleanore, Genevieve, Riley Jean, Henry, and Sadie; his brother James Quinn (and his wife, Veda) and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the St. Patrick Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. All are invited to meet directly at the church the morning of. Burial will be private for the family.

Arrangements are in the care of the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.smith-heald.com for information.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom can be made to:

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?pg=personal&px=1012580&fr_id=2560

NH Catholic Charities

https://www.cc-nh.org/

Milford Rotary

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2944/sitepage/about-our-club/milford-rotary-club-welcome-and-overview

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08/27/2026

Thomas F. Quinn - AMHERST, NH

Full obituary will be published on our website and on our page later today.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be on Monday, August 31, 2026, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the St. Patrick Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. All are invited to meet directly at the church the morning of. Burial will be private for the family.

Thank you,
Smith & Heald

08/20/2026

Brenda L. Miskelly

Brenda Loring Miskelly, 87, beloved wife of the late Robert E. Miskelly, of Amherst, NH, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH, following a period of declining health.

Brenda was born on April 3, 1939, in Plymouth, MA, the daughter of Ronald and Marjorie (Prouty) Loring. She was raised in the small South Shore town of Kingston, MA, and graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1957. With dreams of the big city,

Brenda went on to attend the Katherine Gibbs School in Boston, where she had the time of her life learning proper etiquette, shorthand, and grammar—skills she proudly passed on to her children.

Shortly after graduation, Brenda met her husband, Bob. They married in 1962 and shared 61 wonderful years together, building a life that took them to many places, including Syracuse, NY; Northern Virginia; Wayne, PA; and, ultimately, Amherst, NH.

Brenda was an avid gardener who spent countless hours digging in the earth and tending to her beloved perennial flowers. She also instilled in her children and grandchildren a deep appreciation for antiques. Nearly everything in her home had a story behind it, and Brenda was always happy to share those stories. Antiques Roadshow, both the American and British versions, was a favorite in her household.

Brenda will be deeply missed by her daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Michael Cyr, of Amherst, NH; her son, Robert, and his wife, Danika, of East Greenwich, RI; her grandchildren, Kathryn and her husband, Scott Marchwicz, of Milford, NH; Megan and her husband, Josh Kolodny, of Arlington, MA; and Eleanor Miskelly of the University of Vermont; and her great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Marchwicz.

She is also survived by her brother, Philip Loring, of Newburyport, MA, and his children, Michael, Daniel, and Randy, and their families.

Brenda will be remembered for her love of family, gardening, antiques, and the many stories and traditions she lovingly passed down through the generations. Her warmth, wit, and unmistakable personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Milford Methodist Church, Milford, NH. A Funeral Reception to follow service. Burial will be private for her family.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The Community Hospice House, who took such good care of Brenda. Donations can be sent in Brenda’s name to 210 Naticook road, Merrimack, NH, 03054 https://hhhc.org/make-a-gift/donation

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08/19/2026

Henry J. Perras

Henry Joseph Perras, a longtime resident of Amherst, NH, passed away peacefully at home on August 17, 2026 after a long battle with dementia. He was 89 years old.

Henry was born in Claremont, NH, on November 30, 1936, the son of Antonio Perras and Irene Hall Perras. He spent his formative years in Claremont where his family moved frequently to different houses around town. The most important move was when the family relocated to Green St., and Henry met the pretty girl across the street, Barbara Burke, who eventually became his high school sweetheart (after he finally got up the courage to talk to her). Although he fell in love with Barbara, he felt strongly about serving his country and left high school early to enlist in the military, joining the United States Air Force in 1954. He was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Caribou, Maine, from 1955 to 1958 where he proudly served with the 42nd Armament & Electronics Squadron as an aircraft radio mechanic.

Although their paths temporarily diverged when Henry entered the Air Force and Barbara attended the University of New Hampshire, they eventually found their way back to one another, and were married on July 4, 1959. It was the start of a 67 year marriage.

Once married, Henry and Barbara moved to Somerville, MA, where Henry worked as an aircraft mechanic at Logan Airport in Boston for Eastern Airlines. He later moved on to a job at Harvard University, working as a technician in support of the Cambridge Electron Accelerator. While continuing to work and raise his growing family, Henry earned an Associate's Degree in Electronics from the University of Lowell in Lowell, MA.

In 1972, Henry joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA as an electronic engineer where he designed and built printed circuit boards used in communication satellites. He remained there until his retirement in 1995. A man who dropped out of high school to serve in the military ended up working for both Harvard and MIT. Pretty impressive.

As their family grew, Henry and Barbara moved from their Somerville apartment to Andover Road in Billerica, MA in 1963. They remained there until 1977, when Henry fulfilled his desire to return to his home state of New Hampshire. They moved the family to Aglipay Drive in Amherst where Henry remained a resident for the next 49 years, and where Barbara continues to call home.

Henry was a hardworking father who believed in discipline, responsibility, and the value of learning how to do things for yourself. His sons were introduced to chores at an early age, especially helping to tend to his beloved vegetable garden, and they were kept busy throughout their teenage years. Yet when his sons grew up and began taking on projects of their own, Henry was always ready to give advice (wanted or unwanted) and lend a hand. As an engineer, he was always a problem-solver, but not just limited to mechanical or electronic devices. He was always someone you could count on to find a solution to a problem you were facing, and devise a plan to achieve a goal.

Henry was a proud and avid ham radio operator (call sign K1ZDI). One of his top priorities after moving into the new home in Amherst was installing a 60-foot tower in the yard on which to mount his ham radio antenna, and constructing a “ham shack” in the garage where he spent countless hours communicating with people from all over the world by both voice and Morse code.

He always had an affinity for electronics, and was always curious about radio, television, and eventually computers where he would custom-build his own computers and became the family’s unofficial IT guy in his 60s and 70s.

His love of learning never waned in his later years as he always had books checked out from the local library on various topics of interest, especially U.S. History. He also started taking foreign language classes.

Retirement also gave Henry and Barbara the opportunity to enjoy more time together after years of working opposite schedules while raising their family. They loved riding their bicycles together, making annual fall trips to Cape Cod, and kayaking at local ponds, lakes, and state parks. There was also more time for gardening, with Henry tending to a wide variety of vegetables, and Barbara tending to her beautiful array of flowers all over the yard.

Henry remained physically active well into his retirement. He was a dedicated player in the Nashua Senior Softball League and became a team manager and officer who helped run the league, including developing its very first website. He also helped form a brand new league for players over the age of 70. During the softball off-season, he spent several years bowling in a candlepin league at Leda Lanes in Nashua. He maintained a regular gym routine throughout his retirement, and remained committed to staying fit.

Music was another vital part of Henry's life. His all-time favorite was the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the big band music of the 1940s. In fact, he named his youngest son, Glenn, in honor of the famous band leader. He also enjoyed early rock and roll, jazz, and eventually began to mildly tolerate the classic rock his sons played while growing up (long after they were grown up). He did NOT like disco. However, in his later years he developed a surprising fondness for the song "YMCA" by The Village People. Henry dabbled in playing both trumpet and piano, but his greatest musical legacy may have been the love of music he passed on to his children, all of whom went on to become musicians themselves.

Henry also loved the old radio programs he remembered from his childhood. Some of his favorite family evenings were spent making popcorn and gathering around the turntable speakers to listen to recordings he had collected on vinyl albums, including Our Miss Brooks, Inner Sanctum, and The Shadow.

He was an avid Boston sports fan, with a particular love for baseball and the Boston Red Sox. His favorite player was Ted Williams. A devoted reader of the daily newspaper, Henry always checked the box scores and enjoyed discussing baseball statistics.

Henry was a staunch conservative who was never shy about sharing his opinions, whether or not anyone had asked to hear them. He was deeply interested in politics and current events and took pride in being well-informed on the issues he felt strongly about. He had a sharp mind, strong convictions, and would gladly engage anyone in debate.

Henry was predeceased by his beloved son, Peter A. Perras, who died in 1982 at the age of 22. It’s a profound sorrow that he carried with him for the rest of his life. He is also predeceased by his parents, Antonio Perras and Irene Hall Perras; and his siblings, Theodore Perras and Thelma Parker.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Barbara A. Perras; his sons, John J. Perras, Stephen M. Perras, Jeffrey T. Perras, and Glenn H. Perras; his granddaughter, Cassi Cleaves; and his brother, Arnold Perras, along with extended family and many friends whose lives he touched.

Henry will be laid to rest in a private ceremony next to his son, Peter, in Amherst, NH on August 25. May the final sign-off for K1ZDI lead to eternal peace.

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08/12/2026

Dorothy "Nana Dot" Brown

The world lost a true warrior when Dorothy A. Brown’s giving heart finally came to rest on August 10, 2026. She approached every challenge in life with unmatched strength, fighting until her very last breath.

Dorothy, known by many as Nana Dot, Dottie or Dot, was born in Peterborough, NH on January 19, 1938, a daughter of James and Marion Lorette.

Dot had worked at Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc for over 30 years, where she started in the shipping and receiving and later moving to the sales department. Also, she worked for several years at the Milford Pizza Hut, where she loved to serve the “all you can eat buffet”. Additionally, Dot had owned and operated the Corner Luncheonette in Milford for two years, before her retirement.

For 55 years, Dorothy made her home in Mont Vernon alongside the love of her life, Ray, where together they raised their blended family of 12 children. Their home was always an open door, where everyone who walked into their house felt welcome with open arms, a big hug, and the feeling that they belonged. Over the years, some children came into their home and simply never left. However, she also knew what trouble each one of these children was getting into from her police scanner and she would make sure you knew how she felt about your choices. Dot had a way of making people feel like family- and once you were family, you were always family.

For Dot, family wasn’t just something you were born into- it was something you built, welcomed, cherished and loved with your whole heart. From the days gathering at Baboosic Lake when her children were young, to backyard get-togethers filled with laughter, and even the annual family reunions were something she looked forward to with joy. She cherished having everyone together and loved nothing more than seeing the people she loved all in one place, making memories.

Some of her happiest moments were when she was surrounded by family, gathered around a table playing cribbage, Yahtzee and other favorite card games. Poker nights were especially memorable and were not for the faint of heart. You better have your quarters ready- and be prepared to leave with fewer than you came with! Let’s not even get started about Dot at the bingo halls.. those games were taken very seriously- and heaven help any of her grandchildren who thought they were going to make art with Nana Don’t’s bingo daubers. Those bad boys were off-limits! And apologies for any blown ear drums from sitting near Dottie during the annual penny sales. For if her numbers weren’t being called, you can bet she was shouting, ‘shake them up!’

Nana Dot took great pride in knitting slippers for her family. Once everyone had accumulated more slippers than they knew what to do with, she found a new purpose for her knitting needles. She began making tiny baby slippers for new mothers welcoming little ones through Our Place, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, as well as for the Welcome Baby Bags provided to families in Milford, NH, where Dorothy spent the final years of her life.

Dot shared her love in one of the most familiar ways- through food. She enjoyed cooking for the people she loved and would never let anyone leave her home with an empty stomach. A sleepover at Nana Dot’s for the grandchildren came with one guarantee: French toast in the morning. Holidays were filled with her famous stuffed shells, homemade fudge, and trail mix, all made with love and eagerly anticipated by her family. These familiar tastes and traditions will be deeply missed, but the memories they created will live on forever.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Kristen, Corinne, Noela, Pamela, Sheila, Amanda, Betsy, and Laura, the hospice nurse and the aids from Home, Health and Hospice who supported Nana Dot with unwavering love and compassion during her final days.

She is survived by her children, Frank Calderara, Gina Bent, James Calderara, Raymond Brown, Tammy Savoy, Joseph Brown, Susan Lesmerises, Allan Brown, Lorie Clark, Gay Flemming, Dawn Robinson, 26 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Eva Cheever and Phyllis O’Donnell, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

Dot was predeceased by the love of her life, Merton ‘Ray’ Brown, her son Ronald Merton Brown, her parents, James and Marion Lorette; her siblings James Lorette, Robert Lorette, Ralph Lorette, Fred Lorette, Joseph Lorette, Francis Lorette, Elenor Batchelder, and Joan Blanchard.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, August 16th from 3:00pm-7:00pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 17th at 10:00am in the St. Lawrence Church, 1 East Union Street, Goffstown, NH. Burial will be in South Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Lyndeborough, NH. A celebration of her life will follow from 1:00-5:00pm at the Harley Sanford Post #4368 VFW,1 VFW Way, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Our Place Catholic Charities New Hampshire, 16 Oak Street, Manchester, NH 03104 or to Home, Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054 .

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08/12/2026

08/10/2026

Drew E. Nelson

Drew E. Nelson, 62, a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away in his home in Amherst New Hampshire, on August 8th, surrounded by the love of his wife Jennifer Nelson and son Evan Nelson. He was born in New Bedford Massachusetts to dedicated and loving parents Robert and Diane Nelson. He was raised in Dartmouth Massachusetts with his older brother Douglas Nelson, where he met his friend David Cohn in kindergarten; they would later become like brothers and lifelong friends. There he had many fun adventures driving about while eating vending machine snacks and listening to varied music, exploring the woods, and tinkering with cars. He would always be looking for new parts and trinkets, taking apart and reassembling these cars, and coming up with crazy and unusual modifications to them with David. Sometimes this resulted in “spare” or “leftover” parts; nobody knew what to do with them.

Drew loved above all other things spending time with his wife, son, and dog, whether it be out in nature exploring and going on adventures, taking them to various museums and interesting destinations, or simply hanging out at home, watching TV, playing video games with his son, and putzing about the yard. When hiking, or on any outdoors adventure, he was the “official water carrier” or “pack mule” of the family, whether he was carrying a fishing pole, fishing net and buckets, a camera, or just a few bottles of water. You could often find Drew and Evan searching for critters in ponds, rivers, beaches, or sometimes just under random rocks. This passion of his goes back to his youth, and he was delighted to share with his son and family. You couldn’t keep him away from investigating any body of water. He loved animals of all varieties, with even a toad taking up residence in a pair of his shoes. He rescued fish, frogs, chipmunks, and turtles. Whenever he encountered a turtle crossing the street, he stopped the car, got out, and would move the turtle to the other side to ensure it wouldn’t get hurt. He once rescued dozens of baby turtles who somehow found themselves in his work parking lot. When he wasn’t doing something with animals, he was doing something with plants, and grew a whole assortment of common garden plants, cacti, small trees, and many others. He especially loved spider plants and may have had a few too many of them, but was always happy to share these spider plants and the joy of gardening with others; it was a love he got from his father.

Another passion he developed in his earlier years was his love and fascination with cars. He would often spend several hours on weekends working in his driveway and replacing all manners of parts or enhancing his vehicles. As a teenager, Drew and his Mom worked together to put a hood scoop on his Pinto, just because he could. His Jeeps in particular he loved, which he installed many upgrades on, including larger tires, lift kits, graphics, and sound systems. He found immense pleasure in driving “topless” down the highway while blaring 80’s music. You could hear the music whether you wanted to or not. There wasn’t a car he didn’t want to tinker with, and like in his youth, he occasionally had “spare parts”, but those spare parts made a great addition to his “brown bins” and were often recycled in other projects. He loved driving off-road, occasionally driving his Jeep on snowmobile trails because, “why not”. He loved that he could go anywhere in his Jeep. Driving around with his family on meandering country roads with nowhere planned to go other than forward was a staple family activity. If ice cream or good seafood were discovered, all the better, but the point of such journeys was the travel and time together.

Extended family was a central part of Drew’s life. He enjoyed frequent road trips to Florida to see his parents and his brother and family, where he would reminisce about his childhood and discuss all manners of things, despite the heat of going to Florida nearly exclusively in the summer. His wife’s family, being local, were frequently involved in holiday and birthday celebrations. He enjoyed the noise and chaos of being part of a large family, where holidays were very festive and always had way too much food. He was delighted when he inherited the Christmas “tacky” bells from his father-in-law Collin Murray, and took great pride in maintaining and displaying them every year. He even kept the one green bulb for old time’s sake. Family meant the world to Drew, and he was always happy to be surrounded by their love.

When he wasn’t directly with his family or working on his cars, he was working at BCM, where he worked as a service engineer, controls engineer, and hardware engineering manager for 27 years. He was greatly dedicated to his job and worked until just before he passed. He always had the best interests of his coworkers and the company at large in mind, and worked hard to provide encouragement and wisdom to those around him. He liked to say that he was “not paid for what he did, but for what he knew”. It was through his work at BCM that he met his wife Jennifer on a job site, who he married in 2001, even though their first date meal consisted of warm juice and a cold hot dog. They were simply meant to be together.

Drew, Jennifer, and Evan made a happy little trio and a home filled with much love and unity. Drew was an amazing, dedicated, loving, humorous, and hard working husband and father. Everything he did was done to provide for his family and ensure that all resources were available to foster the family’s love. He fought bravely for the past year and a half, but never stopped caring and providing for those he loved, and he will be missed more than words can ever express. He was incredibly proud of his greatest joy, his son, who he taught well how to be a good man and good person. Drew was simply a great man.

Drew is survived by his wife, Jennifer Nelson, and his son Evan Nelson. He is also survived by his mother Diane Nelson, and brother Douglas and Jeanne Nelson. In addition, he is survived by his wife’s family, Collin and Kelly Murray, Laura and Tom Fusco, and Kathryn and Michael Glowacki. He is also the uncle to many nieces and nephews. Drew leaves behind many friends, including his kindergarten lifelong buddy David Cohn. Drew is preceded in death by his father Robert Nelson and his in-laws Collin and Sheila Murray.

SERVICES: All are invited to meet on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Forestview Cemetery, Amherst, NH, for a graveside service in memory of Drew.

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