Obituary of Stanley P. Nielsen

Stanley Peter Nielsen 
Pultneyville:
Stanley Nielsen, 89, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior on December 9, 2024 at the Webster Comfort Care Home in Webster, N.Y.
 
Burial with full military honors will be held at a private ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in Pultneyville, N.Y. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of his life at Calvary Chapel Webster, 770 Basket Road, Webster, Friday, April 4th at 10:00 AM.
 
Stan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley (Smith), their daughter Jill (Bud) Beckens; their son Erik (Sarah) Nielsen; grandchildren Savannah (Miles) Weimar, Hunter (Ashley) Beckens and Braeleigh and Joshua Nielsen;  a great granddaughter Lorelei May Beckens; sister-in-law- Donna Nielsen; several nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
 
Stan is predeceased by his sister Ann (Jack) Edwards of Rome, N.Y., and brother, Arthur, of Boise, ID.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either: Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, N.C., 20867,  Calvary Chapel of Webster, or Webster Comfort Care Home, 700 Holt Road, Webster, NY 14580.
 
Stan was born on November 24, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York to immigrant parents Peter H.(Schauffland, Germany) and Nora (Groth) Nielsen (Oslo, Norway). Growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, Stan enjoyed playing “stick ball” – an improvised version of baseball using a wooden stick, such as a broom handle as the bat, and a small, rubber ball, and played in the streets, with various neighborhood friends and school mates.
 
He served our country with distinction in the US Army at the height of the Cold War, from 1958-1960 earning the rank of SP4 (T) E-4.  During this time, he served as a Radar Targeting Coordinator in a Nike missile battery stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He worked on his family’s dairy farm in Fort Plain, N.Y. while earning his associate degree in Agricultural Engineering from the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. After receiving his degree from Cobleskill, he applied that knowledge at GE in Utica, N.Y., and then Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y. where he enjoyed a 35+ year career. He retired from Xerox in 1996 as a Technical Product Specialist. Although retired from Xerox, Stan did not retire from the workforce. Stan continued to fulfill his needs of being productive while also being supportive to his wife and home by working at Chase Pitkin in Newark, N.Y., Staples in Webster, N.Y., and Secore Hardware in Ontario, N.Y. Stan was a blessing to all his work associates and customers. Simply put, everyone loved Stan!
 
Stan’s love for athletic competition propelled him to participate in a variety of sports throughout his life, everything ranging from numerous softball leagues, corporate sponsored flag football, basketball, volleyball and soccer leagues. In addition, He earned gold and silver medals from Brantling Ski Slopes Standard races as well as senior races across the state at various ski resorts when he rediscovered his passion for alpine skiing during the 1980’s. He even participated in a full downhill race held at Bristol Mountain! Expanding on his passion for skiing, Stan served as Brantling Ski Club President for several years where he assisted in many ski club initiatives and social events. Stan was a passionate NY Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers fan as well as Syracuse University football and basketball supporter.  Eventually, Stan changed his allegiance to the Pittsburgh Steelers, after some influencing from his wife, Shirley.
 
Stan also enjoyed serving his community during times of natural disasters, serving as a chaplain in the city of New Orleans as part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association after the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina. Stan also ministered to hurting hearts in Elmira, N.Y. during a natural disaster event that devastated that community. Stan loved to serve and be a resource where needed. Stan loved being surrounded by his family and friends. He cherished the time spent with them as well as time spent with his church family. Family was very important to him! Stan had the ability to make others laugh and lighten the mood, even in the midst of his own personal discomfort. Stan was, and continues to be, a light shining on a hill! (Matthew 5:14).