Douglas William Nelson

Douglas William Nelson of Amherst, New Hampshire, loving husband, terrific father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully at home Wednesday the seventh day of July, just three weeks before his 77th Birthday. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts July 28th, 1944, he was the son of the late Donald W. and Rita M. (Linscott) Nelson of Lowell.

Doug grew up in Lowell. He was a passionate and excellent baseball player all throughout his school years and as a teenager spent his summer vacations working in his family’s candy business at Hampton Beach and at local New England fairs. He graduated from Lowell Trade School class of 1962 and for a large part of his career, was an expert in auto mechanics and an experienced part time candy maker. In1991 he turned his love for candy making into a full time passion. 

In 1993 he met his loving wife Cynthia (Cindy). They married in 1997 and would have celebrated their 24th wedding Anniversary in August. Cindy was his rock and their bond remains simply like no other. They built a great life together in Amherst with inspired hopes for their retirement years. 

In 1994 Doug opened his own candy shop in Wilton N.H. where he became famously known as the “Candy Man” for his fine confections. He was the owner and operator of Nelson’s Candy of Wilton where he was a star in the community and always willing to contribute to a local cause. His generous heart was felt by many. He had a “true blue” love of music all his life and in the early turn of the millennium he expanded his business and opened Locals Cafe which became a blues mecca for bands near and far. He was then the  “Candy Man with the Guitar”, as he was often seen playing his guitar in the shop. Doug was a member of the Sweet Tooth Band and they were the opening act for their blues performers. He enjoyed his time with fellow band members all of whom were good friends.

In 2019 Doug sold his Wilton candy store and continued to work there until he retired at the age of 75. 

He loved being a Dad, grandfather, husband to Cindy and was a hard working man who found time to spend with his family at the many gatherings he and Cindy hosted at home where his band and music always played.  

He loved fishing, antique cars, working on R.C. airplanes, nature, feeding his birds and mostly spending time with his family and teaching his kids “the tricks of the candy trade”. He enjoyed telling a good story and always with a gleam in his eye. He was a history buff, a great conversationalist and could always find something to talk about. He will be tremendously missed by his entire family, extended family and the community. To know him was to love him. 

Besides his parents he is predeceased by Brother Donald C. Nelson of Vermont, Sister-in-law Rose Nelson of Chelmsford, Brother-in-law George Young of Lowell and Grand niece Shelbie E. Murphy of Lowell.

Besides his wife he leaves behind his four children, Cindy’s two children, and their significant others, all of whom he considered his own. Christine (Nelson) Wallace and her fiance Ray Simard of New Boston, Allen (Guy) and Karen Nelson of Auburn, Janet (Nelson) and David Bernard of Maine, Douglas W. Jr and Susan Nelson of Nashua, Adam Lindquist of Amherst, Erica and Kevin Latour of Milford; His Grandchildren Nicole, Jessica, Amanda, Briana, Kayla, Jacob, Matthew, Nathan, Leah and Tyler; Great Grandchildren, Madison and Rowan. 

His surviving siblings, Allen Nelson of Chelmsford, Mary (Lemke) Nelson of Vermont, Janet (Nelson) and William Patenaude of Seabrook N.H., Brother Mark Nelson of Milford, Sister Rosemary (Nelson) Young of Lowell, Brother William and Judith (Dickerman) Nelson of Vermont. Sister in law and Brother in law Susan and Patrick Miller of Morrisville, Vermont; 

Mother in law Phyllis Hill of Amherst; his many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends, extended family and all of whom held a very special place in his heart, past or present. 

Family and friends are invited to join us for a celebration of life in his honor at he and Cindy’s home at 82 Baboosic Lake Road in Amherst New Hampshire on Saturday the 31st of July from 2-5, respectively. We welcome guests to bring a memory of him to share. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to: VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, Inc., 1070 Holt Avenue Suite 1400, Manchester N.H. 03109. Condolence cards can be mailed to: Cindy Nelson, P.O. Box 222, Amherst N.H. 03031. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com