John O. Nilsen of North Garden, VA, formerly of Holliston and Cambridge, MA, was born in Worcester, MA on December 28, 1937. On March 23, 2024, he went to be with his Lord and Savior. John was the son of the late Oscar and Elsie Johnson Nilsen and brother to the late Kenneth Nilsen.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Betty Shaw Nilsen, and their three children: Jennifer Nilsen Estes (Brent) of Tulsa, OK; Donna Nilsen Appleby (Dave) of North Garden, VA; and J. Jeffrey Nilsen (Kim) of Hebron, IN; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A graduate of Northeastern University, John retired in 2004 as President of Tomkins Corp. in Whitinsville, MA. John is also survived by his sister Mary Laitres Campbell of Palmer, MA, his brother and sisters’ in-law, C. Gordon and Carol Shaw of Waltham, MA; Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver of New York City and London; Laura Shaw of Arlington, MA, and many nieces and nephews he loved and cherished.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday afternoon, June 7th, at 2:00 at Chesmore Funeral Home, 854 Washington Street, Holliston, MA. Visitation to follow the Service in the funeral home