Paul T. Nelson

Paul T. Nelson age 89, of Fairview, an incredible visionary that loved Erie, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, at UPMC Hamot following a brief illness.

He was born in Dunkirk, NY on October 7, 1933, a son of the late Paul T. Nelson Sr. and Marcelline MacLaughlin Nelson.

Paul was a 1951 graduate of Dunkirk High School, a 1955 graduate of Michigan State, and went on to serve his Country in the United States Army.

First and foremost, Paul loved his family, his family business, and the Erie Community with all his heart. He was a visionary at Waldameer, he was able to make his dreams and ideas become true at the park. He was willing to take risks to better his Amusement Park. He loved his projects there, and you could find Paul there every day, from Spring to Fall walking the grounds, working hard to keep Waldameer family owned and affordable for all walks of life. He was a loyal and generous person. He was devoted to St. Mark Episcopal Church, where he helped everywhere he could. Paul was the Erie Episcopal Diocesan treasurer for many years for two Bishops. 

Paul was past president of the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Assoc., Erie Tourist and Convention Bureau, past board member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, past board member of the Hamot Hospital Board of Directors, past member of Lawrence Lodge #708 F.&A.M, Scottish Rite Valley of Erie, and Zem Zem Temple Shrine. He enjoyed boating and was a member of the Erie Yacht Club, Erie Maennerchor Club, and very active in the Erie County Republican Party.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister Ann Cook.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Nancy Lane Forster Nelson; three daughters, Susan N. Reade and her husband Bill, of Jacksonville, FL, Nancy N. Gorman and her husband Steve, of Erie, and Bonnie Martineau, of Cimarron, CO; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many wonderful friends and employees that he treated like family.

Friends may call on the family at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services, West Ridge, 3801 West 26^th St. on Tuesday, May 30^th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and are invited to a funeral service at St Mark Episcopal Church, 4701 Old French Road on Wednesday, May 31^st at 10 a.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark Episcopal Church, 4701 Old French Road, Erie, PA 16509; the Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Place, Erie, PA 16507; or the Boys & Girls Club of Erie, 1515 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.