Richard Carl (Rick) Nelson Jr., 64 of Ocala, Florida, passed away on the evening of Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at Ocala Regional Hospital.
Rick was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Jeannette Nelson (Calabrese) and Richard C. Nelson Sr. on January 13th, 1959. He attended Technical High School and graduated in 1977.
Rick went on to enlist in the United States Army in 1978, serving the United States Army for 7 years, where he became a certified Master Diesel Mechanic and received many awards and accolades from his superiors. He was very proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country. Rick enjoyed his time outdoors, fishing, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed helping others however he could- even people that he did not know. His heart was larger than his life here on earth, and those who knew him would attest to that. Rick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to all.
Rick is survived by the love of his life for 38 years, Michelle Pepin of Ocala, FL, his eldest son Christopher J. Nelson and daughter in law Amy of Somers, CT, his daughter Caitlin Y. Perez (Nelson) and son in law Andres ́Sapo ́ of Ocala, FL, his cherished Aunt Marlene Danio of Longwood, FL, his grandchildren Andrew, Abby, and Arianna of Somers, CT, Jayce, Andres, Ianella, and Mariano of Ocala, FL, his father’s life partner, Debbe Manfredi of Springfield, MA, his step-mother, Marilyn Ann Nelson of Springfield, MA, his brothers Eric Nelson and his wife Melonie of Oneonta, NY, Jason Nelson of Chicopee, MA, Derek Nelson of Chicopee, MA, his sisters Teri Lee of Chicopee, MA, Stacey Nelson and her partner Michael Feliciano of Chicopee, MA, Kristen Nelson and her partner Pete Cordova of Springfield, MA, Kara Nelson and her partner Robert Cain of Sturbridge, MA, his former spouse Pamela Grant (Kerr-Nelson) of East Longmeadow, MA, his cousins Larry Tourigny and his wife Shirley of Bushnell, FL, Sherlene Danio and her partner Lana of Belfield, ND, David Danio of Deltona, FL, Naomi Danio of Casselberry, FL, Paul Danio of FL, his brother in laws Robert Pepin of Land O Lakes, FL, Mark Pepin of Newark, NJ, Bradley Pepin of Tampa, FL, his sister in law Lori Stepp (Pepin) and her husband Jaime Stepp of Land O Lakes, FL, Carolyn Powell of Springfield, MA and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Rick was preceded in death by his son Ian Nicholas-Gunnar Nelson of Ocala, FL, mother, Jeanette Nelson (Calabrese) of Springfield, MA, his father Richard C Nelson Sr of Springfield, MA, his brother Karl V. Nelson of Orlando, FL, his brother Mark Nelson of Springfield, MA, his grandmother Yvonne Nelson (Goodrow) of Springfield, MA, his grandfather Ralph Nelson of Springfield, MA, his grandmother Lena Calabrese of Springfield, MA, his aunts Jennie, Patsy and Josephine Calabrese, his uncle Alfonso Calabrese of Springfield, MA, his maternal great grandparents Domenico and Maria Concetta Calabrese (Lucia) of Springfield, MA, hs mother in law Carol Pepin (Demchuk), of Springfield, MA, and his father in law Robert A Pepin of Lake Wales,FL.
A visitation will be held at Roberts Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, on Wednesday September 27th, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday September 28th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a committal ceremony at 12:30 p.m. at Florida National Cemetery.